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Sunday, December 21, 2014

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 22, 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, semi-busy week at work. There were three nice parties, including lunch for my office. Weather looks like it will be wet this week so it will be nice to stay home, close to the fire after a few half days at the office.

Reading was good and the ones I am currently reading are really engaging! I finished three books and posted four reviews, one with a giveaway. I also posted a "help me pick giveaway" and all the usual memes. 

I visited a good group of sites again early in the week. I hope to do so again and more this week since I should have some extra time.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • Book Review: The Heir by Lynne Stringer; YA, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
  • Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Hope Rising (Of Love and War) by Stacy Henrie, Christian, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5. Tour Giveaway 10 copies ends 12/18/14.
Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3


Seventh Grave and No Body
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
This is another fun episode for Charley and gang.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle


Hope Rising (Of Love and War)
by Stacy Henrie
This is a lovely, inspirational Historical Romance.
The review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.




3. Audible/MP4


A Yellowstone Christmas: Yellowstone Romance Series
Written by: Peggy L. Henderson
Narrated by: Alexandra Haag
This was a nice story and the history is great.
I will review this week.
I have the first book in this series in my Kindle Library.
I picked this up with another title
on sale with an Audible $10.00 bonus credit.
Publisher's Summary
Aimee Osborne has always looked forward to the Christmas holidays in the 21st century, where she grew up. Now that she lives in the primitive wilderness of 19th-century Yellowstone, she is determined to hold on to some of her traditions.
Daniel Osborne is unfamiliar with many of the customs and beliefs his wife grew up with. Although he doesn't understand her enthusiasm for the holiday, he shares in her joy of the season, and plans to make each Christmas with her memorable.
For Aimee and Daniel, this holiday season might not be the joyous event they hoped for. When an unexpected package arrives at their doorstep, Aimee's plans for the festivities this year might not go off as she envisioned.
When danger threatens his family, Daniel will do what it takes to protect them, and perhaps bring some peace and joy to more than just his wife and children.
©2012 Peggy L Henderson (P)2014 Peggy L Henderson



Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle



A Christmas Hope (Of Love and War)
by Stacy Henrie
I am enjoying this easy, charming read. (60% complete.)
Click on book title for full description.




2. eBook/Kindle


The Genome: A Novel
by Sergei Lukyanenko
This is Awesome so far! 
(30% in and I can't wait to get back into it.) 
Click on book title for full description.



3. Audio/MP4


Dreamer's Pool: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1
Written by: Juliet Marillier
Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Natalie Gold, Nick Sullivan
This is also starting out really well!
I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Award-winning author Juliet Marillier "weaves magic, mythology, and folklore into every sentence on the page" (The Book Smugglers). Now she begins an all-new and enchanting series that will transport readers to a magical vision of ancient Ireland...
In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she'll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help. Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters.
With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.
©2014 Juliet Marillier (P)2014 Audible Inc.


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 will run into January at the rate I am reading. :-) 
I have two reviews to complete so I am pretty much up to date.

Decenber Scheduled:
Completed.


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 four audio review titles.
I purchased three audible books - total cost to me $6.33.
I purchased four $.99 kindle titles again this week.
I received one free book from Audible and I 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

I received four audio books from Audiobook Jukebox.


Dreamer's Pool: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1
Written by: Juliet Marillier
Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Natalie Gold, Nick Sullivan
Fantasy- see description above.


Immortality
Written by: Kevin Bohacz
Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
Sci Fi - End of the World Thriller.


The Eighth Day
Written by: Michael O'Neal
Narrated by: Robert Martinez
Thriller - teenagers saving the world.


25 Perfect Days
Written by: Mark Tullius
Narrated by: Dave Thompson
Dystopian Sci-Fi




Won
None

Purchased
I had a $10.00 credit from Audible so I purchased three books on sale at a cost to me of $6.33.
A Yellowstone Christmas: Yellowstone Romance Series
Written by: Peggy L. Henderson
Narrated by: Alexandra Haag
See more info above.

Written by: Margaret Brownley
Narrated by: Jaimee Draperx
Historical from a Christian author.
Silent Night, Holy Night: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection
Written by: Colleen Coble
Narrated by: Devon O'Day
Two Christmas titles from a Christian author.



I purchased four kindle titles for $.99 each.

The Moth Saga: Books 1 - 3
Daniel Arenson
Sci Fi, Fantasy


A Timeswept Christmas Box Set
Eugenia Riley
Time Travel Christmas stories.



Lovers' Lane: Christmas Romance Boxed Set

Sandra Edwards, Regina Duke, Debra Elizabeth
Six Christmas Romances


Mail-Order Christmas Brides Boxed Set:
Mail-Order Mistletoe Brides\Mail-Order Holiday Brides
Jillian Hart, Janet Tronstad
I like mail-order bride stories and they are for Christmas too.


Free
I received this audiobook free from Audible:
The Snow Queen
Written by: Hans Christian Andersen
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
The Snow Queen will be free until January 31, 2015.


Over the past week I downloaded** (**Note this means I have added them to my library to read "someday") another 51 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 December 21, 2014

This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent when we remember LOVE - the love that God showed us by sending His son to earth, and the love that Jesus showed by leaving heaven to be born as a humble baby.

Our Sunday School was filled with excitement as we heard of the progress of Brother "E", a Haitian man we are helping to open and share ministry in his hometown. He came to America in the summer thinking he was to work here and send money home to his family. He was injured and lost his job. He came to our church in a state of despair during Wednesday night lessons. He returned Sunday and by the next Tuesday he had been "adopted" by the men's group that meets for prayer every Tuesday morning. The men raised funds for support and he returned to his home convinced that God wanted him to minister there.  Our congregation is honored to be helping to support his ministry in a place where voodoo worship is real and dangerous.

Brother "E" says he is a flashlight in a dark place but the light shines brightly due to the darkness. Since July there have been over 200 people who have accepted the message of salvation! He gives thanks to God for our support and we give thanks to God for his willingness and obedience to minister in difficult surroundings. Please pray for his continued protection and for God to continue to bless and spread the message in Haiti.

Church was nice with a good presentation from the young folk about the 12 Symbols of Christmas. Pastor shared a message on the importance of Angels - not only as seen in delivering messages in the Christmas story and other stories of the Bible, but also in our day to day lives. Do you believe in angels? Especially guardian angels?

I started out seeking another song video from our cantata.
I found numerous videos that I would love to share.
I will probably post one each morning this week leading up to Christmas.
The one I chose for today is to complete my Christmas Card list this year.
I am sending this Christmas Card song to all of my blog friends!
A Verse for Today:
Psalm 91:11
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

I pray, as Christmas Day approaches, that my friends know that they are loved, not just this special week but every day! I pray that angels watch over each of us and I pray that Brother "E" has a Christmas blessed by the touch of God's Holy Spirit!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Sharing Beyond Books #182 Comment Giveaway 12/20/2014

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

I attended several nice parties this week as I continued working to get things all ready for at least my staff to be off. I am feeling so blessed to be looking forward to a relaxing Christmas week.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Eleven  of you do not or would not regift and ten of us would or have, even if rarely. Most of us that do regift agree that we only regift if it is a new, unused gift and would be useful to someone else. We also do not regift 'personal' or special gifts. We have received candles and brick-a-brac that is impersonal, and not selected specifically for us. These are the sorts of things we regift. And we only exchange for size or if we already have the item.
~~~~

The Winner from SBB #181 comments is: #17 Llehn 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 #182 (One Question.)

Q1. Elizabeth asks:  What books are you looking forward to reading in 2015?? (This was for 2014 but I converted it to 2015.)
A: I haven't picked any special titles although I have been looking for a book for my First Read of 2015. I am participating in a 2014-15 Winter COYER - clear out your ereader - challenge so I plan to read several books from my Kindle Library over the next two months.  Below is one title I might make the First Read but I have not decided for sure. It will be a January read for COYER in any event. Maybe some of your book interests will catch my eye.

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. Elizabeth asks: What books are you looking forward to reading in 2015??

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 27, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Help Me Pick eBooks to Read - Comment Giveaway!

I have been thinking about what book I want to read first in 2015. Also I signed up for a COYER book challenge and I am ready to start reading from my VERY LARGE Kindle Library.
(Image found at WorldStart tips)

I have made a list of the Kindle books that I picked up in 2009, the year I got my first Kindle. There were only 114 books that year. Three were more than the $2.99 maximum allowed for the COYER challenge so they are excluded. I have also removed books I have already read, a cook book and two studies. That brings the number to 94. I think I have selected the one I want to start the year with so that brings me to 93. I have decided to list them 23 at a time and let commenters help me pick titles to read.
I will randomly select TWO WINNERS from the commenters. Winners will get either the book they chose gifted as an ebook (up to $7.00 value) or $5.00 GC.

Here are the first 23 titles to help me pick from:

Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel (The Midnight Breed.. Lara Adrian May 4,2009
 ...
The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.. Michael Scott May 4,2009
 ...
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Roger McGuinn May 4,2009
 ...
Homespun Bride Jillian Hart May 4,2009
 ...
Snowbound Janice Kay Johnson May 4,2009
 ...
Once a Cowboy (Harlequin American Romance) Linda Warren May 19,2009
 ...
Dancing in the Moonlight (Silhouette Special Edition) Raeanne Thayne May 19,2009
 ...
Kiss Me Deadly (Silhouette Nocturne) Michele Hauf May 19,2009
 ...
His Lady Mistress Elizabeth Rolls May 19,2009
 ...
Hide In Plain Sight Marta Perry May 19,2009
 ...
His Majesty's Dragon: A Novel of Temeraire Naomi Novik May 19,2009
 ...
Deception (Love on the Edge) Sharon Cullen June 9,2009
 ...
Kiss Me Again Dee Tenorio June 30,2009
 ...
Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold! (Landover) Terry Brooks June 30,2009
 ...
Serial Jack Kilborn June 30,2009
 ...
Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways (Rhiannon Godfrey) Traci Hall June 30,2009
 ...
Loving A Lost Lord (Lost Lords) Mary Jo Putney June 30,2009
 ...
Irresistible Forces (Kimani Romance) Brenda Jackson June 30,2009
 ...
Weapons of Choice (Axis of Time, Book 1): A Novel of the.. John Birmingham June 30,2009
 ...
No Little People (Introduction by Udo Middelmann) Francis A. Schaeffer July 6,2009
 ...
Undead and Unwed MaryJanice Davidson July 8,2009
 ...
Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch B.J. Daniels July 8,2009
 ...
Manifold: Time Stephen Baxter July 10,2009
My Kindle ebook library alone is just about 8,000.
That doesn't include eBook libraries at B&N, Smashwords, and Christianbook.com;
plus NoiseTrade downloads ebooks I have won over the years.
I also have an Audible Library with a minimum of 30 books a year for 13 years; 
I am sure I have at least 50, probably more, unread books. 
And I still have another 700+ print books at home.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY COMMENT WITH THE TITLE FROM THE LIST ABOVE THAT YOU THINK I SHOULD READ NEXT.
I WILL PICK TWO WINNERS FROM THE COMMENTS and read those books. THIS SELECTION GIVEAWAY WILL END ON DECEMBER 27, 2014 at 5pmCST.
Open worldwide.
Thanks for helping me with this dilemma! :-)

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