Mailbox Monday September 15, 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 didn't receive any review books this past week and only purchased two Kindle books while downloading many free kindle titles.

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

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE.

Won

NONE.

Purchased

I purchased two $.99 books at Amazon Kindle:


From the Indie Side
Michael Bunker, Peter Cawdron, Kate Danley, Anne Frasier, Sara Foster, Jason Gurley, Mel Hearse, Kev Heritage, Hugh Howey, Ernie Lindsey, Susan May, Brian Spangler, David Gatewood

The Wizard of Time Trilogy  

by G.L. Breedon

Free

I downloaded another 49 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? September 15, 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 sign at the busy weeks that tire me out by the time I get home. 
I enjoyed my reading, finishing three books and posting three reviews.
I also posted the usual memes. :-)


I only visited a couple of blogs early in the week. I seemed to crash most evenings this past 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? September 8, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday September 8, 2014.

• Book Review: The Traitor by Grace Burrowes; Historic Romance, Regency; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 12, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 9/18/14.

• Book Review: Winter's Passage by Julia Kagawa; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1) by Kate Dacus; Christian Romance my rating 4.0. Open US. Ends 9/20/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #168 Comment Giveaway 9/13/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 9/20/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 14, 2014.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Neverhome
by Laird Hunt 
I loved the prose in this remarkable story.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3

Dead Case in Deadwood: Deadwood Mystery, Book 3
Written by: Ann Charles
Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer
Strange and fun, 
in spite of a few problems.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Night Visitor
by Dianne Emley
Good suspense with a twist.
I'll post my review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

eTreasures Publishing:
Two print releases going through final adjustments before we link them up at the website.
Two more ebooks still out for galley proofs; to be released soon.

Currently reading:

1. Audiobook/MP3

Title: The End is Nigh: Apocalypse Triptych
Author: John Joseph Adams, Hugh Howey
Narrator: Mur Lafferty, Rajan Khanna, Kate Baker,
Lex Wilson, RalphWalters, Jack Kincaid,
Norm Sherman, James Keller, Anaea Lay
I am enjoying this collection of different scenarios.
Publisher: Broad Reach Publishing
THE APOCALYPSE TRIPTYCH is a series of three anthologies of apocalyptic fiction. THE END IS NIGH focuses on life before the apocalypse. THE END IS NOW turns its attention to life during the apocalypse. And THE END HAS COME focuses on life after the apocalypse.

2. eBook/Kindle

Shades of Moonlight
by Karen L. McKee
I have started this paranormal and I'm interested to see where it goes.
I received this as part of StoryBundle a couple months ago.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 5, 2010
When Kalla Jervis, folklorist, arrives in Burma as part of a team of archeologists researching the end of an ancient civilization she expects problems translating the ancient Burmese language. Then she meets her translator, tall, dark and dangerous Simon Renault, a man who both infuriates and attracts her. When dark dreams haunt Kalla’s nights, they hint at a terrible secret that entwines the fates of Kalla and Simon and all of Burma.

Karen L. McKee once again delivers a rich story that evokes the mysteries of an exotic culture. Shades of Moonlight is a fantastic paranormal romance that wraps together past, present and future in one of the most mysterious of Asian cultures. Readers will love the fast-paced story of unforgettable characters caught in the strangeness of a world few westerners have visited.

3. eBook/Kindle

Global Predator
by Jack Maclean
I will start this one next.
I received from NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 19, 2014
High above the mountains of the North West Frontier, a Global Predator circles waiting to unleash its Hellfire missiles. The trail of Osama Bin Laden’s deputy, the elusive Egyptian terror master, Ayman al-Zawahiri has gone cold until a chance recording identified by a translator at the National Security Agency offers new clues. A special intelligence team assembles and plots to catch at him at a meeting with other high ranking al Qaeda leaders. In Pakistan’s beautiful Swat Valley, the local Taliban have been stepping up their attacks on anyone educating girls. English aid worker Sally is taken hostage while visiting one of her schools. When Wilkins, escaping his reckless trading mistakes at his London bank, is forced to rescue her, he finds himself trapped in a world of blind fear and terror. Only one person can now make sense of what is happening and stop a massacre of innocent schoolgirls.

I remain one day ahead on my daily Bible reading. My morning reading starts my day off right!  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 still finalizing formatting for two educational, non-fiction ebook releases. We are also working on releasing several novels in print.

I still have some books carried forward and I still hope to read at least one of my own TBRs this month. I am staying up to date on completing reviews the week after they have been read. 

September Scheduled -
---Nothing new yet.

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Global Predator by Jack Maclean  (to read this week)
The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate

Authors:
From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There are Cyperpunk and Dark Fantasy Bundles available now that look interesting.
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 (reading)

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
The End is Nigh: The Apocalypse Triptych by John Joseph Adams, Hugh Howey (listening)
The Red Shoelace Killer by Susan Sundwall

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - Winter's Passage - Done

Sunday's Words of Encouragement September 14, 2014

I will call Pastor’s Sermon today: “Living With a View to Eternity.” (As part of choir we sometimes come in a few moments into the Sermon so I might miss the real title if he gives one.)

Pastor noted that what we focus on is what we become or what is important to us. Are you focused on earning money for material things? Are you focused on retirement, laying back to relax? Are you focused inwardly or outwardly? Are you focused on things of this world or on eternity? We need to learn to count things of this world as loss and things of eternity as gain. Philippians 3:7-11.  Though we are living on earth, our true home is heaven. We need to press on for the promised prize. V12-14. V15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.

 I looked for a song about pressing on.
I was surprised to find this song which was written by Bob Dylan in 1980.

Verses for Today:

Philippians 3:7-11(NIV)
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Lord, I thank you and praise you. I  pray for help to stay focused on eternity and help to press on to the gift of salvation that Christ has secured for me.

Sharing Beyond Books #168 Comment Giveaway September 13, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Why do these weeks just fly by?

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Hmmm- nine people couldn't remember the first book they DNF. Six did remember some book even if not always the first and one, scottsgal, remembered the nature of the book (long romance) if not the name. miki doesn't think she has left any unfinished.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #167 comments is: #4 Nikki 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 #168 (One Question.)

Q1. rubynreba asks: How much time do you spend on your computer or mobile device each day??

A: When I have court in the morning the work time on computer is at least six hours a day. It is more if I am not in court. Evening computer time is usually another four hours.  So I figure my daily computer time is 10 to 12 hours.

Here is a good idea. I will set aside $2.00 per computer hour for savings.
Then I can give part of that to missions and part to pay for computer time on vacations!
Image found at Gamelot.

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. rubynreba asks: How much time do you spend on your computer or mobile device each day??

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 September 20, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review and Giveaway: Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1) by Kaye Dacus

A nice, second chance, Christian story.

Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1)

by Kaye Dacus

• Series: The Matchmakers (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (August 1, 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1602609891

Genre: Christian Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2010

Every grandmother wants to see her grandchildren happy, especially when it comes to their love lives. Join five active senior ladies—and one gentleman—who take a great interest in the lives and loves of their single grandchildren and become The Matchmakers. Zarah Mitchell and Bobby Patterson become the first focus of meddling grandmothers when he moves back to Nashville to work for the Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit. Will Zarah be able to forgive the man who years ago chose a military career over her—especially when she learns he is investigating the historic preservation agency for which she works?

Review:
Zarah Mitchell is a young woman with confidence issues. All her young years she was criticized by her father, the General. The same man idolized her older sister and later focused on his new family, but he never had time or approval for Zarah. As a senior, Zarah dated a young soldier behind her father’s back. When he disappeared from her life she went off to college heartbroken and men-shy.

Fourteen years later Zarah is still cautious of men. She is highly respected by her boss and peers at her work with the historical preservation agency. She is also a successful leader, and willing servant, in her church singles’ group. Things are secure, if in a rut, until her teen love, Bobby, sudden moves to town to work at the Nashville office of Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit.

Bobby is glad to see Zarah again but sad to see that she seems to be taken advantage of by those around her. Bobby doesn’t understand how he lost Zarah fourteen years ago. He begins to wonder if they might have a second chance. But first he has to deal with the fact that his new assignment involves investigating the agency where Zarah works. Then he will have to convince Zarah to open up to him and take a chance on live beyond her routines.

There are some wonderful messages of forgiveness and second chances. The story also shows the need for balancing servanthood instead of being a doormat. Ms. Dacus edges in the issue of self confidence but I felt she missed a bit of a chance to emphasize that our true worth should be found in being creations and children of a mighty, heavenly God rather than in trying to please an earthly father.

There are parts of the story that seemed no more than filler, mundane actions. But most of the story is enjoyable and engaging. This is the second book we have read by this author and we liked the first one too. The writing in this story has an easy flow and makes for a quick, light read.

This was Ladies' Book Club reading for August and we all enjoyed the easy read.

Giveaway:

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my gently read 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 US Only for Print Book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) September 20, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after September 20, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.