Mailbox Monday May 19, 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 resisted selecting any new review books this week.
I picked up two free audios and many free ebooks.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

None

Won

None

Purchased

None

Free

I downloaded the first set of SYNC YA Audios-


WARP: The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer


The Time Machine by H.G. Wells


Plus I downloaded another 66 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today,  Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday What are You Reading? May 19, 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.

We had another nice week with our son, daughter-in-law and little "Sweet-Pea". 
Work was a little better but I still need to switch out computers soon.
I enjoyed my reading, finishing two ebooks and close to finishing an audio. I posted two reviews and the usual memes. :-)

I visited a little early in the week but didn't get back later.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? May 12, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday May 12, 2014.

• Book Review: Raptor 6 (The Quiet Professionals) by Ronie Kendig; Military Romance, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 16, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 5/22/14.

• Audio Book Review: Shadow Killer, a Charlie D. Mystery, by Gail Bowen; Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #151 Comment Giveaway 5/17/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 5/24/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 18, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Blind Man's Bluff (Stone Gap Mountain)
by Kay Stockham
I really enjoyed these characters and the story.
I received this through StoryBundle.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Thunder Mountain
by Dean Wesley Smith
This was a surprising, easy time travel.
Offered a free trip into a remote Idaho wilderness that she loves and studies, Professor Dawn Edwards can’t refuse. On the trip she meets Professor Madison Rogers, and they fall for each other before they even reach their destination.

But living in the Old West proves to be a brutal task. Somehow, Dawn must survive to rescue herself, her friends, and the man she loves.

A science fiction novel of the old west and true love.

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
No new releases this week.
Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link:  Prairie Lily by Georgina Sellwood
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP3

Tricked: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 4
Written by: Kevin Hearne
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
I am 80% in so I expect to finish this fun listen this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

The Windflower
by Laura London
I have moved along to 260 pages in this and now I am interested in where it goes from here.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Escape (Survivor's Club)
by Mary Balogh
I have started this and like the characters.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
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.
After surviving the Napoleonic Wars, Sir Benedict Harper is struggling to move on, his body and spirit in need of a healing touch. Never does Ben imagine that hope will come in the form of a beautiful woman who has seen her own share of suffering. After the lingering death of her husband, Samantha McKay is at the mercy of her oppressive in-laws—until she plots an escape to distant Wales to claim a house she has inherited. Being a gentleman, Ben insists that he escort her on the fateful journey.
Ben wants Samantha as much as she wants him, but he is cautious. What can a wounded soul offer any woman? Samantha is ready to go where fate takes her, to leave behind polite society and even propriety in her desire for this handsome, honorable soldier. But dare she offer her bruised heart as well as her body? The answers to both their questions may be found in an unlikely place: in each other’s arms.

4. Audio

Erian's Lair #2
by Troy Lee Henderson
I enjoyed the first book and look forward to listening to this.
Simon Hill has been away studying for the past two years. When his parents die suddenly, he returns home to find that he and his two young brothers, Darien and Edwin, have been evicted from their farm. Simon convinces his brothers to join him in an effort to find Erian, the daughter of Eathed, an old dragon who once befriended Simon. The three brothers enlist the aid of Deandra leBec, a dragon hunter whose father was killed by a dragon and setoff to find Erian. [A Novella] -–Book 2 of The Hill Brothers Trilogy.

I expect I will get to another book but I haven't decided if it will be another eBook from StoryBundle or NetGalley or one of my Audio review books.

I am still up to date on my daily Bible reading. I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on two non-fiction releases and a print release.

This month I have more review books than from my own TBR. :-) 
I completed two reviews and have two - so far- pending for this coming week.  

May Scheduled -
Nothing specificallly scheduled

NetGalley: I did pick up some more titles for April. 
The Escape (Survivor's Club) by Mary Balogh (reading)

Authors
From Story Bundle - check out the deal available 4/30 to 5/21
Where Dreams Are Born by M. L. Buchman
Simply Irresistible by Kristine Grayson
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox (I will be making more requests.)
   Erian's Lair by Troy Lee Henderson

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 18, 2014

This morning we celebrated graduation of our high schoolers. It is remarkable that many of them already have a year of college from dual enrollment and one had received her associates degree (two years) before completing high school. I would have loved that in high school and it is a shame that they are making the dual enrollment program more difficult by putting the cost burden on the school districts.

I enjoyed our pastor’s brief comments based on Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, a young follower.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

He further encouraged the graduates to use all they have learned through life after first seeking the Lord. Matthew 6:33. Continue to stay connected to God because when we know more of God, then we know better how to live our lives. Psalm 1:2-3. Then he urged them to continue to surround themselves with Godly people who encourage growth and living for God’s glory; and to work and serve with grace. He noted Mr. Walgreen’s commitment to a Godly life and exhorted them to live as above average Christians.

This is a nice version of Seek Ye First

Verse for Today
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Lord help me to take this message to heart each day: first seeking You, then serving You by sharing your love with others and living as an above average Christian.

Sharing Beyond Books #151 Comment Giveaway May 17, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Yikes - it's Saturday and I've had a long day. Almost didn't get to this.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Eight out of 12 people acknowledge that they sometimes change their mind about a book based on reviews. Most could not remember a specific book. Alyn chose Cruel Beauty based on reviews but hasn't read it yet. nrlymrtl has selected retellings of classics based on reviews. Four commenters have never changed their mind due to a review.  

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #150 comments is: #3 nrlymrtl 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 #151 (One Question.)

Q1. Miki asks: Could you choose your house depending or the existence or room for bookshelves, a library??

A:  This is a 'sweet' question. My answer is "yes'. At least two of the homes we have bought had built in book shelves.

These are nice built in shelves and I love the idea of a secret room too! 

Image found at Decoist.

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. Miki asks: Could you choose your house depending or the existence or room for bookshelves, a library??

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 May 24, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Audio Review: Shadow Killer, A Charlie D. Mystery, by Gail Bowen

Relationship issues wrapped up in a bit of a mystery.

"Shadow Killer," A Charlie D. Mystery
by Gail Bowen
(Rapid Reads) Post Hypnotic Press

Narrator:  Daniel Maté
Audio Book Length:  1 Hr 21 Min
# of Audio CD's:  2
# of MP3 CD's:  1
Download ISBN:  978-1-927401-89-7
Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

"Packs a lot of action into a mere 87 pages. The Rapid Reads line of books is perfect for the adult on the go who desires an intriguing read that can be devoured in one setting - amazon.com"

It's Father's Day weekend--a tough time for Charlie D, host of a late-night radio call-in show that offers supportive advice to troubled listeners. For years Charlie has been alienated from his father--a retired politician who was always too busy for his son when Charlie was growing up. The trouble is, his dad has chosen this weekend to attempt to reconcile with his son. Charlie is not keen to forgive. But Charlie's personal issues suddenly seem mundane when an email arrives from a young listener that outlines his very specific plans to kill not just his father but his entire family. The deeply troubled boy could be anywhere, and Charlie has just two hours to discover his identity and stop him from murder.

Review:
Once again the story introduces Charlie and his call in radio show to newcomers. It’s Father’s Day and Charlie is ready to listen to his fans who call in to share their woes. Not everyone has fond memories of their childhood relationship with their fathers, including Charlie. Charlie’s dad was a busy politician who was disappointed by a son whose face was marred by a large birthmark. Charlie understands being estranged from one’s father and isn’t really interested in responding when his father calls and asks to get together.

Charlie arrives at work to have his producer advise him that a young listener has sent in an email indicating his plans to kill his father, the rest of his family and the rest of his family. Charlie now has to focus his talents on drawing the boy out to call in so they can hopefully talk him out of his plans or at least try to identify him. Charlie is initially at a loss but Nova has helped with father-relationship quotes to open up the show.

Charlie’s boss calls in raging over his elderly, wealthy father who is about to marry a sexy woman young enough to be his granddaughter. Charlie tries to encourage the man to be happy for his father but gets fired instead.

Charlie is still trying to get the ‘shadow killer’ to call in when Charlie’s own father calls. He thinks he can share insight to the frustrations of the young boy.

This episode is rather poignant as it deals with father-son relationships. There is still a little bit of mystery and Charlie is his ever engaging character. I enjoy these quick listens.

Audio Notes: Daniel Maté continues to narrate this series with easy distinction. I enjoy the fun, quick story.

I received this audio from Post Hypnotic Press for an honest review.