Mailbox Monday January 6, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
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) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I selected three titles at NetGalley and am considering some others as well as several offered author query reviews. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Reviews

NetGalley picks:

Cloaked in Danger 
by Jeannie Ruesch
Historical romance and a little mystery.
I was pulled in by the cover and genre. :-)

Ashes & Alchemy (The Gaslight Chronicles)
by Cindy Spenser Pape
Cover, title and genre on this one got my attention.

The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence)

by Timothy S. Johnston

This sounds like a rather creepy

"locked station" mystery.

Won

None this week.

Purchased

I think I purchased one Kindle book at $.99 offered as a special promotion with purchase of a gifted title.

Free

I downloaded 45 Kindle titles this week - they add up quickly at 7-8 a day. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday What are You Reading? January 6, 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.

The work week was still pretty quiet and we had a quiet New Year which was lovely.

I only finished two books but have three others at lest mid way. I  posted four reviews, one with Giveaway. 
I added a New Years and First Read 2014 post to weekly memes and posts (except the Saturday Snapshot). 

I did some nice visiting mid and end week which I enjoyed.
I am implementing shelleyrae's suggestion to visit a couple to five every day.
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 30, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday 12/30/13.

• Book Review: Silver-White (The Great North Woods Pack #1) by Shawn Underhill; Paranormal; my rating 4.5.

• Welcome 2014 - Happy New Year. 

• First Book of the Year 2014 Post - The Harbinger.

• Sharing Beyond Books #132 Comment Giveaway  1/1/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 1/4/14.

• Book Review: The Double Life of Incorporate Things (Magic Most Foul) by Leanna Renee Hieber; Paranormal, Gaslamp fantasy; my rating 4.25. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 3, 2013. Open Worldwide.  Ends 1/9/14.

• Audio Book Review: Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet: Charley Davidson, Book 4 by Darynda Jones; Paranormal; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Angel Christmas by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more; Anthology, Christmas, Angels; my rating 4.25. US Only. Ends 1/11/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #133 Comment Giveaway  1/4/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 1/11/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 5, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

The Double Life of Incorporate Things (Magic Most Foul)
by Leanna Renee Hieber
This is intriguing.
The review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP4

The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future
by Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by Jonathan Cahn
This book is so exciting!
The ladies club had a great discussion on Saturday.
I will be posting the review and Giveaway soon this week.
Click on book title for full description.

Line Edits/Releases:
I didn't get the proof copies in yet so still waiting to link up two new print releases; one needed a cover adjustment.

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link:  to be linked this week - Heather has been on Christmas break with children. :-)

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

The Wanderers
by Cheryl Mahoney
This is wonderfully imaginative
and I am really enjoying it. (60%)
It is written by a blog friend author.
I should get to the review the end of this week.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 13, 2013
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

In One Year and Out the Other
Cara Lockwood (Author), Pamela Redmond Satran (Author), Beth Kendrick (Author), Megan McAndrew (Author), Tracy McArdle (Author), Kathleen O'Reilly (Author), Eileen Rendahl (Author), Diane Stingley (Author), Libby Street (Author), Christina Delia(Author)
I am not quite half way through. So far the stories are mixed entertainment.
From my own TBR shelves.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel
By Helen Simonson
Narrated By Peter Altschuler
This is not quite what I expected.
I am about 60% in and reserving judgment.
Picked from my Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary
You are about to travel to Edgecombe St. Mary, a small village in the English countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as familiar as the members of your own family. Among them is Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson's wondrous debut. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, Major Pettigrew is one of the most indelible characters in contemporary fiction, and from the very first page of this remarkable novel he will steal your heart.

The Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and her as the permanent foreigner. Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?
©2010 Helen Simonson (P)2010 Random House

I am up to date so far with my daily Bible reading. :-)

Line Edits: We are finalizing several formats for two new eBooks.

I am still enjoying reading books from my own TBR. :-) I still have an open month for January but I have my eye on a couple of offered titles. 
My backlog for review is now down to four so I should get caught up this week and have new ones to go into next week.

January Scheduled-
I have several unscheduled Giveaways to get posted this month/week.

NetGalley:
  Cloaked in Danger by Jeannie Ruesch
  Ashes & Alchemy (The Gaslight Chronicles) by Cindy Spenser Pape
  The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

Authors
I have numerous requests to respond to.

AudioBook Jukebox 
   More to be requested when I take time to do so.

From TBR Collection -In On Year...
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 5, 2014

Today we celebrated Epiphany which is the revealing of Christ to the wider world (the Gentiles) symbolized by the journey and gifts of the three Magi (wise men). The three gifts have symbolic meaning. Frankincense represents the divinity of the baby as a sign of incense and worship. Myrrh, a spice used in burial ritual, represents the human suffering Jesus would experience. Gold was the most precious gift or possession one could have and it was given to acknowledge a King.

We had an absolutely stirring service this morning. Even before we shared communion - or perhaps I should say as we prepared to share communion - we were brought to the presence of God through our worship and praise! We never got to a sermon as we worshiped. There were three utterances all proclaiming that God is with us - Always. We are His children and He loves us more than mortal love can comprehend. He has not and will not abandon His people. Though we may go through struggles and troubles, He will be there with us to give us all that we truly need: strength, assurance, comfort and peace. All we have to do is remember to trust in Him.

 This was another song from our choir Christmas program. 

I had never heard it before but it is Wonderful!
One King.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 2:1-2 and 11 (NIV)
¹After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Lord, as we recognize Your gift to us - leaving your throne and coming to earth as a baby to die for our sins - may we give You the gifts or our complete trust and surrender. Help me in 2014 to live a life that is pleasing to You, brings You glory in even small ways, and shares Your light and message with others.

Sharing Beyond Books #133 Comment Giveaway, January 4, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Thanks to everyone who commented on the last SBB post

There were good responses on what we look for in reviews! Many want specifics or reasons why the book was liked or not so they can determine better if they would like the book. The other area mentioned at least three times was specifics on details like bad language, explicit sex, and cliffhangers as well as other elements that a reader might not want to read. Elizabeth made a good suggestion which I use too - consider at least one positive and one negative review to get a perspective from each end.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #132 comments is: #1 Bookishqueen 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 #133 (One Question.)

Q1. Mary P asks: What kind of movies do you like to watch & which movies have you seen or plan to see??

A: We may have had something similar but this is still a good question to answer for the beginning of a new year. We tend to watch movies on TV, Netflix or Roku. My DH loves to watch Hallmark movies and we watched alot at Christmas time. Other times we watch sci fi, action and some comedies. We stay away from dramas and movies with bad language.
I am looking forward to seeing Catching Fire and Divergent. 

Image found at digital trends.

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 still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Mary asks: Mary P asks: What kind of movies do you like to watch & which movies have you seen or plan to see??


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 through Saturday January 11, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review and Print Giveaway: Angel Christmas by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more

I enjoyed all five of these charming Christmas novellas featuring angelic intervention.

Angel Christmas
by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Topaz (November 1, 1995)
• ISBN-10: 0451406281
• ISBN-13: 978-0451406286

Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Angels

My Rating: overall 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher: Topaz (November 1, 1995)
In the true spirit of the season, these five Christmas romances--heartwarming, humorous and deeply romantic--all result from intervention on high and evoke the true meaning of the holiday season. Authors include Mary Balogh, Marilyn Campbell, Carole Nelson Douglas, Emma Merritt, and Patricia Rice.

Review:
The stories in this anthology are from 1995. I found every one of full of delightful charm and warmth perfect for the holiday season. They each read quickly so that I could read one at a sitting and come back later for the next one. I have tried to give a quick few comments, descriptive words and rating for each.

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.
     I wasn’t sure about this time traveling rogue/bad boy protagonist but his heart was captured  - first by a glimpse and then by the innocense and love of a young girl. Fortunately it changed his behavior and saved them both. Very sweet. Rating 4.25

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.
     Texas Ranger, Vincent had been high school sweethearts with Hannah but they were too young and he wasn’t ready for commitment. Ten years ago he left her behind and she married his cousin, James. Six years ago James was killed in a motorcycle accident for which Vincent holds himself responsible. Nine year old Allie has asked the family Christmas angel for a new daddy and Vince has returned with the goal of setting up as a rancher. Vince has to persevere to win back the trust of the woman he loves. I found the story heartwarming. Rating 4.0.

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.
     This story finds busy mom, Angelina, trying to resist the overtures of single, town mayor, Sean O’Grady. Sean’s Irish Grandfather is determined to get Sean a ‘sweet colleen’ before life passes by. Sean lost his college fiancé to an accident and has protected his heart ever since but there is something that draws him to petite, feisty Angelina. Neither suspect the pushing and interference by a determined angel. This is cute and enjoyable. 4.25.

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.
     This story was my favorite! Jeffrey, a Viscount, is frustrated by Parliament and the inability to pass laws that would help commoners. He leaves London in a cynical state to sulk, with all his bent up anger, at his country estate. He has no desire to celebrate Christmas but the servants have begun setting up the tree complete with tin ornaments. One of the those tin ornaments is an angel that begins to talk to him and tries to get him to improve his attitude. Jeffrey slowly develops a warm friendship with the spirit of his accident prone angel, ‘Mary’.  She brings out Jeffrey's warmer side as she encourages him to help bring a special Christmas to the Vicar’s very ill daughter. This is humorous, very charming and delightful! Rating 4.5.

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.
     June and Elliot married right after he returned from Waterloo. He had been troubled by his war experiences and didn’t know how to handle an innocent young girl but frightened her instead. Now five years later their guardian angels bring the estranged husband and wife to reconciliation by stranding them in a cottage with a freak blizzard. Lovely. Rating 4.25.

I pulled this from my Christmas TBR box to read and share.

I was tempted to hang on to this as part of my Mary Balogh and/or Patricia Rice collections. My desire to share the pleasure exceeded my desire to horde. :-)
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the gently used print 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  comment on the review 

OR tell me about another book by any of these authors that you enjoyed.

* This contest is open to U.S. address Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 11, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after January 11, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.