It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 24, 2014

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.

I had a good week this week.  I finished four books and posted four reviews, three with giveaways! Got most of the usual memes. :-)

I visited a couple of handfuls of sites late this week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? February 17, 2014.

• Audible Book Review: Fifth Grave Past the Light: Charley Davidson, Book 5 by Darynda Jones; Paranormal, Mystery, PI; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review with ebook Giveaway: Beyond the Shadow of Canderlay Manor by Dee Julian, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5. Open worldwide. Ends 2/28/14.

• Book Review with Print Giveaway: Sleeping Dogs by Tony Vanderwarker; Thriller; my rating 5.0. Open US Only. Ends 2/28/14.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 21, 2014. Open Worldwide. Ends 2/27/14.

• Book Review with Giveaway: The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston, Mystery, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.  Open worldwide. Ends 2/28/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #139 Comment Giveaway 2/22/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 3/1/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 23, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible

Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change
by John Hagee
Narrated by Dean Gallagher
This wasn't quite what I expected but still an interesting discussion. I will review soon.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
by A. American
I really like this series!!
I am reviewing through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio

The Tempest

by William Shakespeare

Performed by a Full Cast

Published by AudioGO/ BBC Radio

I received this and Of Poseidon from SYNC YA

May 30 – June 5, 2013.

I thought I'd listen to the pair and then review them.

Description:
BBC Radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard.
Raging storms and rich beautiful music combine to magical effect in this production of Shakespeare’s allegorical last play, where mystical forces work to restore harmony and order to an estranged community.
Revitalised, original, and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the new millennium.

4. eBook/Kindle

The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)
by G. Michael Hopf
I have really enjoyed these post apocalyptic stories.
I am reviewing this one through NetGalley too.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 30, 2013
What would you do to survive?
Young Gordon Van Zandt valued duty and loyalty to country above all, so after 9/11, he dropped out of college and joined the Marine Corps. This idealism vanished one fateful day in a war-torn city in Iraq. Ten years later, he is still struggling with the ghosts of his past when a new reality is thrust upon him and his family: North America, Europe and the Far East have all suffered a devastating Super-EMP attack, which causes catastrophic damage to the nation’s power grid and essential infrastructures. Everything from cell phones to cars to computers cease to function, putting society at a standstill.
With civilization in chaos, Gordon must fight for the limited and fast dwindling resources. He knows survival requires action and cooperation with his neighbors, but as the days wear on, so does all sense of civility within his community—and so he must make some of the most difficult decisions of his life in order to ensure his family’s safety.

Line Edits/Releases:
Working on several releases.

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link:  The Way She Makes Me Feel by Pembroke Sinclair.
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:

1. Print

R Is for Rebel: ...and Royalty, Relatives, Reality, and Running from love... (Unruly Royals)
by Megan Mulry
I am mid-way on this. Still mixed feelings. :-)
Reading for Sourcebooks.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio

Of Poseidon
by Anna Banks
Published by AudioGO
I received this and The Tempest from SYNC YA May 30 – June 5, 2013.
So far I am enjoying this audio a little more than The Tempest. :-)
Description:
Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange–is it attraction?–and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of–a human who can communicate with fish. What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either–and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy
by Robert Reed
I plan to start this one tonight or tomorrow.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Diamond is an odd little boy, a seemingly fragile child—who proves to be anything but. An epic story begins when he steps into the world his parents have so carefully kept him from, a world where gigantic trees each house thousands of humans and another human species, the papio, rule its far edges. Does Diamond hold the promise to remake one species and, perhaps, change all of the Creation?

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

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on a new children's release.

I am still enjoying reading books from my own TBR. :-) My reading/listening is going along well but I have fallen behind in reviews due to being out of commission for several days. 
My backlog for review is still seven so I hope to do a couple doubles this week since I may get behind again next weekend. 

February Scheduled-
  completed

Sourcebooks:
   R is for Rebel – Megan Mulry (reading)

NetGalley:
  The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) by G. Michael Hopf (reading)
  The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed

Authors
 Many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox 
Making some new selections. 

From TBR Collection - Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: Free Audios: The Tempest and Of Poseidon 

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 23, 2014

Our Pastor's message this morning.was on our attitude towards money and particularly on tithing. He doesn't often speak on giving but every once in a while he encourages the congregation to an attitude of cheerful giving. He reminded us that it isn't money itself that is evil but "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" Timothy 6:10. Some people claim they don't have enough money to give any to the church. But the mature Christian knows that all his or her needs will be met only when God is honored with the first fruits of what He gives us.

My husband and I were blessed to have learned this lesson early in our marriage. We both agreed that we should tithe and God has continually provided all that we needed. There were lean times when we couldn't go to McDonald's for dinner, but we never went hungry. We did have to learn to surrender control of certain possessions in order to allow God to use what we had. It was then we recognized that everything we have -- all money, all talents, all possessions -- belongs to God. We are just stewards here on earth of the gifts He has given. He allows us to keep ninety percent of what He has given to us and only asks for a return of ten percent to further His kingdom. We have learned also that He is generous to pour out blessings when we share what we have. It is a beautiful thing and we are glad to give Him the praise!

This morning we sang this song as a new praise song.
I hope you enjoy it as I did.

Verses For Today:
Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)
8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you robbed me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?'
"In tithes and offerings.  9 You are under a curse--your whole nation-- because you are robbing me.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."


A prayer today: Thank you Heavenly Father for always meeting our needs and for blessing us greatly beyond mere needs. Keep us mindful to help others by sharing what you have so graciously allowed us to be stewards of. May our faithful tithes and giving bless Your kingdom.

Sharing Beyond Books #139 Comment Giveaway February 22, 2014

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

Well the largest group, eleven, have one ereader and it is a Kindle of various models. LindaK has the most with 4 Kindles plus the Kindle on PC. Nine commenters have no ereader but four of those use the Kindle app on tablet or PC. Two have other brands and one didn't name her ereader. Di had a follow-up question which I'll use another week. :-)

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #138 comments is: #1 Mystica 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 #139 (One Question.)

Q1. Marjorie asks: I like watching cooking shows on tv;  What are your favourites??

A: I don't watch that much TV, plus I am not the cook in our household - my DH is. [Lovely thing, that! :-)] He/we used to watch Emeril and Rachel Ray. To be honest, I always enjoyed Good Eats hosted by Alton Brown probably because he explained the science behind the cooking!  These days my DH does most of his recipe hunting on facebook and another week (not today) we'll see if you know any of those FB cooks.    

Alton Brown - the Bill Nye for cooking. 

Image found at Kenneth Author.

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. Marjorie asks: 1. I like watching cooking shows on tv;
What are your favourites??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 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 March 1, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

This is an intense mystery in an interesting and dangerous sci fi setting.

The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence)
by Timothy S. Johnston

File size: 1220 KB
Print Length: 390 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (December 23, 2013)
ASIN: B00F942TT2

Genre: Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 23, 2013
Dead Space, 2401 AD

Kyle Tanner is about to die. Alone, floating in a vacsuit only a few million kilometers from a massive, uncaring sun, he has barely enough time or juice to get out a distress signal before either his oxygen runs out or he succumbs to the radiation.

When the CCF sent investigator Kyle Tanner to SOLEX One, a solar energy harvester past Mercury, he thought it would be an open-and-shut murder case. A crew member was found dead, minus his head and hands. Not the worst Tanner has ever seen, but the deeper he delves, the more nightmarish it becomes. A shadowy figure, bleeding from his hands, assaults Tanner in his quarters. Then two more turn up dead, missing their heads and hands as well.

With no one to trust and everyone a suspect—even the intriguing chief engineer, Shaheen—Tanner must navigate a crew on the brink of madness to uncover a conspiracy that could threaten the whole of the human race. Even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice…

Review:
This sci fi mystery grabs you from the opening as the protagonist investigator, Kyle Tanner, is drifting in space and dictating the report of how the murders and deaths occurred - including his own. Kyle sets up some background explaining his role as a reluctantly famous homicide investigator and enforcer. He continues explaining his assignment from Mercury to investigate a suspicious death on a far off space station known as SOLEX One. The space station, beyond Mercury and close to the sun, houses a small crew with four scientists who are studying and harvesting solar energy while all hoping they stay shielded from the risk of radiation.

The death Kyle is to investigate could have been an accident except for the bizarre fact that someone cut off and disposed of the head and hands post-mortem. Kyle begins his methodical interviews which clearly trigger a problem as he discovers when he is attacked in his cabin. Soon two more bodies are found, missing their heads and hands, and Kyle knows there is foul play afoot.

Everyone at SOLEX is a suspect until Kyle can uncover clues for motive and opportunity. Along the way he begins to form an attachment with the uniquely beautiful and brilliant chief engineer, Shaleen. Piece by piece he pulls together evidence that reveals a devastatingly dangerous plot of revenge. Shaleen is able to help with computer details as well as survival functions as the station suffers sabotage - not only at the hands of the murderer but by Kyle himself trying to trap the killer.

I really like Kyle as a no-nonsense investigator and it is interesting to watch as he purposefully decides that maybe he can stretch his life, and emotions, to include another person, Shaleen. The conspiracy plot is wonderfully diabolical and frightening as a bio-engineered assassination plan goes out of control.

The story is well written and engaging. The technicalities of the scientific elements are sufficiently explained to make it understandable to non-scientific readers. The author even supplies diagrams of the Station to help orient the activities during the investigation. Although the killing and decapitation is macabre, this is definitely a twisted mystery, not a horror story. I highly recommend this to those who love a good homicide investigation story.

I selected this book from NetGalley for review.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: The author contacted me and has generously offered an ebook copy of this sci fi mystery for Giveaway as well as five signed covers!

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
visit the author's website and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open WORLDWIDE.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) February 28, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after February 28, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 21, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]
{Sorry this is late - my computer last night was having hard time saving Blogger. Thought I had it saved to schedule but it glitched.}
I got my energy back and had a good week this week. The weather warmed up too which was nice. Hope everyone else is having nicer weather and a good week!



More details at My Cancer Journey. 

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the February 14 Pick. There were no Automatic wins this week but several 3s that might lead to automatics next week!  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There was one title blocked with multiple picks again.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 14 Pick:
Miki gets a GC

Di gets Dare me Anthology

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This is a wonderful sentiment don't you agree!

Image found through Mary Balogh's facebook.

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Swimming Without a Net by Mary Jane Davidson
Exit Strategies by Catherine Todd
Perfection in Pearls by Madeline Hunter
The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Sandhill Dreams by Cara Putman
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright
Dare Me Anthology, Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis and Julie Elizabeth Leto
All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
A Writer's Dream & A Cowboy's Heart by Vickie Kennedy


New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013

PAIRS:
Rachel Lee
     A Conrad County Homecoming and Boots & Badges
SINGLES:
Renegade Heart by Madeline Baker
Shades of Scarlet by Linda Fallon
Legendary Warrior by Donna Fletcher
Found Money by James Grippando - Abridged Cassette Audio
Every Whispered Word by Karyn Monk
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Hawk's Pursuit by Connie O'Banyon
Tides of Passion by Tracy Sumner
Guarded Secrets by Rebecca York and B.J. Daniels

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013

Pairs gone
SINGLES:
Father for Keeps by Ana Seymour
Crimson Rain by Meg O’Brien

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013

Singles:
Silver Feather by Cassie Edwards (pictured and in box but missed the listing.)
Something Extra by Janet Dailey

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
      (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf (won 1/10 by rubynreba)

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 629+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)