Mailbox Monday March 31, 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.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I selected one ebooks for tour and three from NetGalley. 
(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

One Title Selected from author/ publicist offers:

Received from AuthorPal/Penquin Group

The Temptations of Anna Jacobs 
by Robyn DeHart
 
Historical Romance set in Victorian London with Jack the Ripper intrigue.

Received through NetGalley

Fair Play: A Novel
by Deeanne Gist

A historical love story about a lady doctor and a Texas Ranger who meet at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Raptor 6 
by Ronie Kendig

Military Romance.

The Escape (Survivor's Club)
by Mary Balogh

In this poignant novel of longing and salvation, a hopeful widow
 and a resilient war hero discover the promise of love’s magic and new beginnings.

Won

None.

Purchased

None

 Free

Plus I downloaded another 60 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday What are You Reading? March 31, 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 another good week reading again and began to feel better by the end of the week. I only got three reviews posted instead of four but I'm not too far behind. I also posted a Launch Blitz and one Print giveaway and the usual memes. :-)

I did some visiting early in the week again but then didn't get to do more.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? March 24, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday March 24, 2014.

• Audio Book Review: A Blind Goddess by James R. Benn; World War II Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Print Launch Blitz for Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon - with Rafflecopter Giveaway.
  

• Book Review: Heart of a Hero by Marie Higgins; Historical Romance, Western, Inspirationa; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 28, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 4/3/14.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Tall, Dark & Fangsome (Immortality Bites) by Michelle Rowen; Paranorma. Romance; my rating 3.75.  Ends 4/4/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #144 Comment Giveaway 3/29/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 4/5/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 30, 2014.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Jaspar's War
by Cym Lowell
I liked this alot. I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

Tall, Dark & Fangsome (Immortality Bites)
by Michelle Rowen
The review and giveaway are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP4

Storm Surge: Destroyermen, Book 8
Written by: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris
Another great installment in this series.
Click on book title for full description.

Line Edits/Releases:
Working on several releases.

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link:  to be linked.
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:

1. Audio/MP4

The Protector
by Marliss Melton
This is starting out as good romantic suspense.
Reviewing through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Eryn McClellan teaches ESL in Washington, D.C., until the day she's targeted by terrorists avenging her father's actions in Afghanistan. The FBI has stepped in, but when it looks like they are using her for bait, General McClellan enlists the aid of the only man he knows he can trust: former Navy SEAL Ike Calhoun.
Embracing solitude in his remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ike thought he'd left the War on Terror behind. Now he's stuck shielding a blue-eyed beauty from ambitious federal agents and crazed jihadists. More disturbing still, the charming Eryn seems intent on shattering his self-imposed isolation. Ike does his best to resist her welcoming ways, but he can feel his restraint eroding like a mountain in a mudslide.
With the FBI hot on their heels and the terrorists not far behind, Ike willingly wages a one-man war in defense of the woman whose passion and faith have given him the strength to rise above his past.
©2011 Marliss Meltlon Arruda (P)2013 Marliss Melton Arruda

2. eBook/Kindle

Issachar's Heirs
by Brian Chilton
This political thriller is awesome!
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print

Unwilling Warrior, Seasons of Redemption Series #1
by Andrea Boeshaar
This has started quite nicely.
This is our Ladies' Club selection for April 5.
Product Description
The War Between the States has Valerie Fontaine frightened about her future. She never suspects she'll be thrust into the middle of it. Benjamin McCabe's got a noble dream of photographing the Civil War - and he never expected to fall in love with a New Orleans socialite.
When Valerie's father is arrested on charges of treason, Ben secures a way for her to leave the city and travel to his family's home in Jericho Junction, Missouri where she'll be safe.Can Valerie adjust to life on the prairie and remain true to her promise to wait for Ben no matter what the cost?

4. eBook/Kindle

You're Not Safe (Texas Rangers)
by Mary Burton
I am looking forward to this romantic suspense.
I'll be reviewing with giveaway.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
He Will Never Forget
The broken body hanging from a tree in Texas Hill Country. . .the frozen figure huddled in a meat locker. . .only at second glance does the truth become apparent. What seems like suicide is far more sinister, and the terror is only beginning...
Never Forgive
One devastating moment changed Greer Templeton's life and ended two others. Now, with a body found on her property and Texas Ranger Tec Bragg on her doorstep, Greer's nightmare has returned. With each new victim, her link to Tec's case grows, and soon it will be too late to run.
And Never Let Them Live. . .
Greer hoped the past was behind her, but an obsessed killer has never forgotten the bond that unites them. One by one, he will track down his victims, finish what was started--and make Greer's dying wish come true. . .

I am up to date on 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 continuing to enjoy reading books from my own TBR. :-) I only completed three reviews this week so I still have 4 to review. That pretty much keeps  me up to date. 

April Scheduled -
April 3 - Review: Issachar's Heirs by Brian Chilton
April 5 - Ladies Book Club Review & Giveaway: Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar 
April 10  - Review & Giveaway: You’re Not Safe by Mary Burton through Joan Schulhafer
    Publishing & Media Consulting
April 16 - Review & Giveaway: Hard to Handle (Love in the Balance) by Jessica 
   Lemmon through Hachette
April 17 - 4th Annual Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop
April 22 - Review & Feature - The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart
  through AuthorPal/Penquin Group


NetGalley: I did pick up some more titles for April. 
Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles by Maggie Gallagher
Fair Play: A Novel by Deeanne Gist
Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
The Escape (Survivor's Club) by Mary Balogh

Authors
 Many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox (have one more to be received and then more to request.)
The Protector by Marliss Melton


From TBR Collection - The Seducer by Madeline Hunter
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 30, 2014

Our Old Testament daily reading this week (Deuteronomy Chapters 9-15) was reinforced by our Sunday school lesson which was entitled “The Lord is your God”. When God brought the Israelites into the Promised Land it wasn't because they were good or deserved it, it was because He was cleansing the lands from the sin and wickedness of the other nations. God also displayed His power and His faithfulness to keep His promises.

I was mindful of these points as we celebrated communion today. As a child we attended Episcopal church where I learned certain liturgical prayers of confession that included the phrasing “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.” (*See full text of the prayer below.) As I matured and moved to evangelical churches we no longer did liturgical prayers. Yet even these many years later I recall that prayer because it is always true. I try not to commit overt sins but I know I sin by omission regularly. I do not deserve forgiveness since I am weak and disobedient. This is ever more reason for me to be thankful that God is merciful and, through grace (unmerited favor), I have been adopted into God's family by faith in Christ who shed His blood to cover my sin and pay the debt I could never pay.

I found this oldie goldie song that I am sharing today.
He Paid a Debt.

Verses for Today: (I these verses through verse 9.)
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NIV)
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.


I tend to think on this prayer whenever I take communion:

*Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Rite II of the Book of Common Prayer

Sharing Beyond Books #144 Comment Giveaway March 29, 2014

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

All commenters read more fiction than nonfiction. Several mentioned reading for escape, pleasure or entertainment. Those who do read non-fiction mostly read biographies or autobiographies. Marjorie mentioned reading books by Lisa See which she says are based on fact.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #143 comments is: #26 Sarah 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 #144 (One Question.)

Q1. My question this week: How do you handle your TBR pile??

A:  I don't think my TBR pile is this bad although if you include ebooks it would be. :-) 

Image found at The Good, The Bad and The Unread.

A continued:  I try to read at least two to four books a month, ebooks, print and audio, from my TBR but on the scale below mine would be "All is lost". I definitely have more books than I could read in a lifetime.

 Image found at Read, Breath, Relax

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. 
Questions in March were submitted by Di, MaryP, Nikki and Elizabeth (I don't count for the submission wins). Random Pick is #1 - DI.
Your turn to share:

Q1. My question: How do you handle your TBR pile??

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 April 5, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review and Giveaway: Tall, Dark & Fangsome (Immortality Bites) by Michelle Rowen

There is humor in this light read even though not my cup. 
Tall, Dark & Fangsome (Immortality Bites)
by Michelle Rowen

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forever (September 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0446505854
• ISBN-13: 978-0446505857

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 11, 2009
Sarah Dearly's vampire life is not all B-positive cocktails. A curse made her a nightwalker, the most vicious vamp there is; the charm she wears to curb her deadly tendencies is losing its juice; and a hunter from hell is turning up the heat. Gideon Chase will kill the ones she loves most if she doesn't obey his orders. That includes breaking up with master vampire Thierry and turning Gideon into an immortal vamp so he can escape a doom of eternal hellfire.

Making things worse are Sarah's growing feelings for Gideon, a bad boy who keeps showing a vulnerable side . . . but is it for real? Will Sarah's dark side take over? Or can she cure herself of the nightwalker curse in time to stop Gideon and finally live happily ever after with Thierry . . . forever?

Review:
Sarah Dearly has only been a vampire for a few months but they have been busy months. She has escaped the vampire hunters at least twice and fallen in love with a somber, dark master vampire, Thierry. Escaping vampire hunters has given Sarah a reputation as the Slayer of Slayers. An unpleasant encounter with a witch got her cursed as a nightwalker which means she can’t walk in sunlight and she has an uncontrollable craving to feast on real, living blood. Sarah wears a heavy gold charm on a chain to help control the curse. Others are worried that the charm will weaken so the vampire counsel is talking about killing Sarah.

Another complication in Sarah’s life is that a vampire hunter, Gideon, has been burned by hellfire and is in extreme pain. Gideon has threatened all of Sarah’s loved ones if she doesn’t perform a ritual turning him into a vampire so he can escape the hellfire. Although most of Sarah’s friends try to convince her Gideon is an evil enemy, she has a tendency to have compassion for everyone, even Gideon in his pain.

Sarah and Thierry think they have found true love even though his long time estranged wife, Veronique, has refused an annulment. Sarah and Thierry have told their friends they have broken off their relationship as a means to protect Thierry from Gideon’s threat. Gideon has promised her a spell to remove the nightwalker curse if she will betray the Red Devil to him. Currently Sarah is hiding that she has become a “gopher” running errands for Gideon as she tries to determine whether it will be safe to turn him and how else she might get the spell to lift her curse. Thierry is suspicious of Sarah’s feelings for Gideon so he has convinced a dangerous vampire known as the Red Devil to come out of retirement after 100 years to spy on/protect Sarah.

Sarah has a very sassy and humorous attitude that makes the story fun and light. Unfortunately she makes me think of the stereotype ‘dumb blonde’ (regardless of true hair color) as she can’t make up her mind how to feel about Gideon, she doesn’t seek help from anyone and she continues to do things that she knows are dangerous and not good actions. I really found it rather difficult to like her and therefore hard to become fully engaged. There were some interesting characters including a teenage warlock who plays with spells and demons. I pushed on through, shaking my head at Sarah’s indecision and several improbable scenes.

My conclusion is this is a fun, light read even if it doesn’t make good sense. This series may not be for me but there are lots of positive reviews so plenty of readers apparently like the snarky fun.

I picked this from my "won" books.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my 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

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

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for print.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April  4, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after April 4, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.