It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 8, 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 first week of December. We will be trying to pull all work together so we can close the office for almost two weeks.

Reading was good, though not great. I finished four books and posted three reviews, one with giveaway. I also posted all the usual memes. 

I did get to visit a good group of sites last week which I enjoyed.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 1, 2014.

• Audio Book Review: Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy; Sci Fi, YA ; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers;  Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0. eBook Giveaway, US and Canada; ends 12/13/14.

• Audible Book Review: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper; Paranormal, fantasy; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 5, 2014. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/11/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #180 Comment Giveaway 12/6/14. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/13/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 7, 2014.
  

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Home for the Holidays
A Cavanaugh Island Novella
by Rochelle Alers
A nice warm, small town romance.
Review and giveaway are linked abore.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio

Snowbeard the Pirate and the Naughty List
by Chip Huddleston
This is really cute; a fun listen. 
I will post a review this week.
A funny, whimsical story for older children and adults, it is about Santa's younger brother who runs away to Florida and becomes a pirate.

3. Print

We Are The Destroyers (We Are***Are We Book 1) 
by D. K. Lindler
This review is ready to go up this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/MP3

Dust World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 2
Written by: B. V. Larson
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
I enjoyed the action in this second book.
I hope to get the review up this week.
Publisher's Summary
The Galactics arrived with their Battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spans the Milky Way. Our only worthwhile trade goods are our infamous mercenary legions, elite troops we sell to the highest alien bidder.
In 2122 a lost colony expedition contacts Earth, surprising our government. Colonization is against Galactic Law, and Legion Varus is dispatched to the system to handle the situation. Earth gave them sealed orders, but Earth is 35 lightyears away. The Legion commanders have a secret plan of their own. And then there's James McGill, who was never too good at listening to authority in the first place....
In Dust World, book two of the Undying Mercenaries Series, McGill is promoted to Specialist and sent to a frontier planet outside the Empire. Earth's status within the Empire will never be the same.
©2014 B. V. Larson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Seducing the Ruthless Rogue
(The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2)
by Tammy Jo Burns
I am 70% through and should finish this on Monday.
I will post tour review on December 10.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah
Handel (Author), Albert L. Blackwell (Foreword)
I will continue to read this but the review will post this week to encourage those who would consider this for Christmas gifting. 
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Heir
by Lynne Stringer
I'm looking forward to starting this.
I received the ebook from the author.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Sarah hates the prestigious high school she attends. Most of the other students ignore her. School is only made tolerable by the presence of Dan Bradfield, the boy she adores. Dan is the heir to his father’s multinational computer company, but he is dating Sarah’s best friend, Jillian. When tragedy strikes, Dan is the one who supports Sarah. But she can’t shake the feeling there is something strange about him. Is he protecting her from something? Is there something going on that she doesn’t know about? And did she really see a monster in the bushes?

4. Audible

FREE Yesterday's Gone: Season 1 - Episode 1
Written by: Sean Platt, David Wright
Narrated by: Ray Chase, R. C. Bray, Brian Holsopple, Chris Patton, Maxwell Glick, Tamara Marston
I started this, from my Audible library, for a quick listen. I failed to heed the warning but now that I have started I want to know what happened to make most people disappear.
Publisher's Summary
Start the First Season of the Groundbreaking Post-Apocalyptic Serial! Yesterday's Gone: Season One: Episode 1.
WARNING: This is a post-apocalyptic horror audiobook where bad people do evil things, and as such, this series features disturbing scenes and foul language. While it is all within the context of the story, some listeners may find this content offensive.
Can humanity survive what it never saw coming?
On October 15 at 2:15 a.m. Earth vanished. A scattered few woke alone in a world with no rules, other than survival at any cost.
A journalist wanders the wretched reality of an empty New York, searching for his wife and son. A serial killer must hunt in a land where prey is now an endangered species. A mother shields her young daughter from danger through every terror-filled breath.
A bullied teen is thrilled to find the world gone missing, until the knock on his door. A fugitive survives a fiery plane crash. Will he be redeemed, or return to the killing he's best at? An eight-year-old boy sets out on a journey to find his missing family, only to find something that will change him forever. These survivors aren't truly alone...
Someone or something is watching them. And waiting...
Strangers unite. Sides are chosen. Can humanity survive what it never saw coming?
©2011 Sean Platt, David Wright (P)2014 Podium Publishing

5. Print

Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions
by Aaron Tabor
I received this from FaithWords (Hachette)
for review post 12/12.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Based on the major themes found on the most active Facebook page in history,
JESUS DAILY is a 365-day interactive devotional that goes beyond even the fan page to create a deeper experience and cultural movement that celebrates your redemption in Christ. JESUS DAILY presents a devotional thought but also challenges you to respond to each daily reflection using a variety of social media tools.

I am 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.

I still have Sci Fi  and Christmas titles that may run into January at the rate I am reading. :-) 
I have three reviews to complete and two more that will go up this week so it should be a full week.

Decenber Scheduled:
12/10 Seducing the Ruthless Rogue (The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2) by Tammy Jo Burns; tour review and Giveaway.
12/12 Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions Review and Giveaway.

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 received/selected one print title and four review titles through NetGalley.
I purchased one daily deal Audible book and four $.99 kindle bundle titles this week.
I also added more free kindle titles to my library.

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Review Post on 12/12.
I signed up for tour for this book but the first mail out was apparently lost.
I received two books this week - one for me, one for giveaway!
Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions
by Aaron Tabor

JESUS DAILY is a worldwide revolution in how you can connect, share, and worship the Father personally and with other believers.



I was invited to participate in another Hachette tour so I received two titles at NetGalley.

This is for review 12/18 or 19

Hope Rising (Of Love and War)
by Stacy Henrie
FROM A GREAT WAR, SPRINGS A GREAT LOVE

This Novella is from the same series-

I love this cover.

A Christmas Hope (Of Love and War)

by Stacy Henrie

TIS THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES

Then I was looking around and picked up two other titles at NetGalley:

The Advent Bride (The 12 Brides of Christmas) 
by Mary Connealy
New--The 12 Brides of Christmas! You're invited to a Christmas wedding...that is twelve of them! 
Shiloh Run Studios (October 6, 2014)
This whole historical romance series looks lovely and I decided to read the first story.

A Most Inconvenient Marriage

(Ozark Mountain Romance Book #1)

by Regina Jennings

Abigail Stuart Thought She was Jeremiah Calhoun's Widow.

But Jeremiah Calhoun Is Very Handsome, Very Alive, and Very Perplexed.

Most Inconvenient Indeed.

From Bethany House Publishers (November 25, 2014)

This sounded like a fun historical romance from an author I wanted to try.

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased an Audible daily deal for $1.95:

Legendarium
Written by: Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker
Narrated by: Robert Rossmann
This is listed as humor and it just sounded like it would be fun to listen!
In every generation, certain writers are chosen to be protectors of The Legendarium, a metaphysical library that exists at the nexus of the multiverse. Inside this library are doorways that lead to every world ever created in literature. Now, in a time of growing illiteracy, two heroes (who don't like each other) are chosen to defend The Legendarium...

I purchased four kindle titles for $.99 -- more bundles I couldn't resist.

Deadly Dozen 2
Diane Capri, Brett Battles, Robert Gregory Browne, J Carson Black, Cheryl Bradshaw, Joshua Graham, Allan Leverone, Carol Davis Luce, Aaron Patterson, Gary Ponzo, Michele Scott, Vincent Zandri, Cory Clubb, Jack Patterson

Kiss of Christmas Magic: 20 Paranormal Holiday Tales
of Werewolves, Shifters, Vampires, Elves, Witches, Dragons, Fey, Ghosts, and More
Eve Langlais, Aubrey Rose, Molly Prince, Deanna Chase, Mandy M. Roth, Michelle M. Pillow, Angie Fox, Mimi Strong, Viola Rivard, Michele Bardsley, V. M. Black, Lola St. Vil, Terah Edun, Jessa Slade, Chloe Cole, Cristina Rayne, Shawntelle Madison, J. S. Hope, Carina Wilder, Dawn Michelle, Jessica Ryan

This is the End: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set (7 Book Collection)
J. Thorn, L.T. Ryan, Stephen Knight, Glynn James, T.W. Piperbrook, Joe McKinney, Craig DiLouie, Bobby Adair

This is the End 2: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set (9 Book Collection)

J. Thorn, Scott Nicholson, Glynn James, J.R. Rain, Edward W. Robertson, Elizabeth Basque, Jacqueline Druga, T.W. Brown, Rachel Higginson, J.A. Konrath

Free

Over the past week I downloaded** (**Note this means I have added them to my library to read "someday") another 54 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement

Today is the Second Sunday in Advent when we light the candle of the shepherds who were given the announcement of the glad tidings that brought Joy to Bethlehem.

What an awesome morning in church! Our Sunday School teacher continued with the lessons in Revelation noting a timely Advent/Christmas connection with Isaiah 9:6-7. Isaiah prophesies: ‘unto us a Child is born...and the government will be upon His shoulder.’ The baby is born as a King, but He doesn’t get to reign as King during His lifetime. The ruling portion of the prophesy is yet to come as described in Revelation 20 and 21.

We had a wonderful guest preacher who shares with our congregation every December. Today his message was a timely message for Advent and any time during our lives. The relevant scripture is Luke 2:22-36 that describes how Simeon had waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise that he, Simeon, would see the promised salvation. Anna, an 84 year old prophetess who was still serving at God’s temple, was speaking of Him to all who were looking for redemption.

These two show the righteousness spirit and devoted commitment needed to properly wait on God.
Waiting on God does not mean sitting still on the sidelines. Waiting involves action as noted in Isaiah 40:31 - those who wait will renew, mount up, run... As we wait properly, our waiting will be rewarded. The best will come from God's plans. God fulfills ALL His promises. Have you committed to accept the promise in God's timing? Hold on to the promise but continue to seek and serve while you wait.

Although this is not a Christmas Carol it fits well with the message that was shared. 

Our visiting preacher had never heard this praise song before this morning.
He was impressed because it fit his message. 

It is wonderfully affirming when God does things like that!

Verses for Today:
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

I was particularly excited by the messages this morning as they also fit right in with the Advent study I am reading in Every Valley.

Sharing Beyond Books #180 Comment Giveaway 12/6/2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

As I noted in Friday Pick this was a busy week with holiday events starting. It has been nice -- not stressful.
I hope everyone is stopping to enjoy the season rather than stressing!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

We continue to watch the Hallmark movies. Five out of 18 do not watch holdiay movies - four of those don't watch much TV. Sue acknowledges that she isn't a holiday person,but more of a Grinch! Many of the classic movies were mentioned to including:  The Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, The Bishop's Wife and even the Muppets' Christmas Carol. But no one mentioned Charlie Brown's Christmas!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #179 comments is: #16 Linda 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 #180 (One Question.)

Q1. Rubynreba askd:  Do you listen to many audio books??

A: Questions similar to this were asked but not since 2012 so we can see if any changes have taken place in our listening habits. I have always enjoyed audios. I can usually listen to two audiobooks a week. This varies when I have several eBook and/or print books lined up for review as I try to focus on those rather than pick up the audios. I love to listen while doing chores.

Image found at Free Audio Books Download.

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: Do you listen to many audio books??

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 December 13, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 5, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

This has been an interesting week that went very quickly. I participated in a Christmas Craft Auction Tuesday night and a Christmas lunch Thursday.  I have a feeling all of this month will move quickly. I hope we all remember to slow down and remember the true reason for the season.

For the next four weeks I will be giving at least 4 wins each Friday - whether auto or random.
(New List is now up but still needs picture.)

[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 November 28 Pick. There were two automatic wins again this 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 were no titles blocked again. 
LindaK gets Range of Motion
Anita gets Once Upon a Honeymoon

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 28 Pick:
SueF gets the Joan Johnston pair

Linda gets a GC 

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.}

Books make me Merry!

Image found at Wicked Writing Skills.

New Book Group #53 November 28, 2014
(Picture to be posted soon)
PAIRS - five sets!
Catherine Anderson: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Sandra Brown: A Whole New Light and Fanta C
Elizabeth Lowell: Autumn Lover (only Book 5) and Winter Fire (Only Book 6)
Joan Johnston: I Promise and Sisters Found
Katherine Stone: Rainbows and Pearl Moon
SINGLES:
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
To Catch a Flame by Kimberly Cates
Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner
Never Say Never by Joan Hohl
Poe's Tales of Mystery and Terror (1967 Collection) by Edgar Allan Poe (Magnum Easy Eye Edition)


New Book Group #52 October 10, 2014
(Links to be added if and when time permits.)

PAIRS:
Richard Paul Evans, The Looking Glass and The Carousel
SINGLES
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Behind a Mask by May Alcott
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman

New Book Group #51 September 12, 2014
10/10 - I just realized I never posted the image for this group.

PAIRS:
Elysa Hendricks, Star Crash (personally autographed copy) and The Sword and the Pen
SINGLES:
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
The Reckoning by Jeanette Baker
Out of This Furnace: A Novel of Immigrant Labor in America by Thomas Bell Reprint Edition
Scandalous Virtue Mass by Brenda Hiatt 
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Miracle by Deborah Smith
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014---(All gone)
SINGLES:
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Once Upon a Honeymoon by Julie Kistler
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy

New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014
SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014---(All gone)

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
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.

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
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
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
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---(All gone)
3/25/11 Group #19---(All gone)
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 five years I have posted 42 groups of 16 (832) books to find new homes! (as of November 2014).

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 737+ 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

List #15---(All gone)
List #14---(All gone)
List #13 ---(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---(All gone)
Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Audible Book Review: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper

This is a quick, fun and sassy listen that is a lovely free audio!

Free: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas

Written by: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins 

Series: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 2.5

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-05-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
It's Christmas in Half-Moon Hollow and newly turned vampire Iris Scanlon-Calix wants to make Gigi's first visit home from college as normal and special as possible. It's taken months for Iris to work up the nerve to spend time around her baby sister after her vampire transition, so she enlists help from Jane Jameson and Company to keep her blood-thirst under control and assure Gigi's safety. Gigi, on the other hand, has problems of her own, including the demise of her relationship with high school sweetheart, Ben, and a looming job interview with Ophelia Lambert, the scariest potential employer in the Hollow. And then there's the small matter of the handsome, frustrating vampire who keeps appearing in Gigi's peripheral vision, then disappearing before she can talk to him. Can the Scanlon sisters negotiate romantic problems, vampire politics, and Christmas cookie disasters and enjoy a relatively normal holiday?
©2013 Molly Harper (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Gigi comes home from college to spend Christmas Holidays with her sister, Iris, a newly turned vampire. Iris has been afraid to be around Gigi so she gathers many family friends to help out. Most of the friends at home are supernatural, either vampire or werewolf. They all - well mostly all - care for both Iris and Gigi and are glad to support the reunion. The one awkward situation might be with Ophilia, the icy, leader of the vampires and possibly Gigi’s soon to be boss. Gigi’s computer skills would be a great asset to the vampires but Iris will be furious if Gigi takes the job that will not only require a ‘till death’ type of commitment but will also expose Gigi to danger...even more than she is now.

While home Gigi hopes to figure out how break up with her long time boyfriend, Ben, whom she cares for but “not in that way.” Between cooking accidents, juggling new and old family traditions and coping with the emotional issues of her relationships, Gigi keeps getting glimpses of a vampire with golden, flashing eyes. She thinks he may be a phantom even after an up close and personal kissing encounter.

I have not read this Half-Moon Hollow series but I find that Molly Harper stories have a wonderful underlying humor with pleasing, and sometimes wacky, characters. This short audio fits the formula and makes for a really fun Christmas visit with these characters. Although short, the story has a little bit of intrigue, a hint of danger and plenty of warm camaraderie. I will keep the series in mind when I am looking for some light, fun action and warm romance. This is a quick, fun listen that is a lovely free gift.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi does a great job narrating. She picks up different accents and conveys the proper sense of the situations, including the snark and affection. It seems to me that certain narrators fit well with certain stories or authors and Ronconi seems to be an excellent fit with Harper. Her narration makes the reading/listening more fun for me.

I had selected this at NetGalley but then, to my delight, found it as a free audio at Audible.