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Thursday, January 1, 2015

MBS 2014 Reading List

MBS (Martha's Bookshelf) 2014 Reading List
Summary: 157 Total. 63 Audio Books (29 of them being from my own TBR audio libraries); 37 books through NetGalley; 12 from authors (not through NetGalley); 10 from tours (not through NetGalley); 9 from Publishers (not through NetGalley); 10 for Book Club; 16 from TBR shelf (not including Audios). 24 of the total were print books. Total TBR with audio = 45. My Goal is to increase this TBR number in 2015.
DNF - One audio that I have not listed. I will try it again in 2015 to see if I can get into it.

I posted 59 special giveaways and about 52 Friday Picks and 52 Sharing Beyond Books giveaways for a total of 163.
My author features were fewer this year with less than 20 tour features or guest posts. This was intentional due to my own health issues. I did not have the energy to do interviewing or commit to deadlines until later in the year.

I just looked at my lists from prior years to compare:
2013: Completed 212
2012: Completed 218
2011: Completed 251
2010: Completed 173
2009: Completed 188
My 2014 completed number is down a bit from the past years but I am comfortable with that. It may have been due to less energy during the Cancer treatments or it might have been due to spending a bit more time on the publishing company - which was/is needed. The 2014 numbers work out to three books a week and I had all reviewed by year-end except one novel (and the Bible which I don't review). As noted, this is comfortable so I plan to stay with this range and not push for higher numbers which creates more work and stress.

JANUARY
    2.
  • Book Review: The Wanderer by Cheryl Mahoney; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
    4.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: White Rogue by David R. Fett M.D., Stephen Langford & Connie Malcolm; Spy Thriller; my rating 4.0. Open US; Ends 1/24.
    6.
  • Book Review: Cloaked in Danger by Jeannie Ruesch; Historical Romance, Regency; my rating 4.5.
    7.
  • Audio Book Review: Flight of the Bowyer by Kenneth R. Lewis; Political Thriller, Futuristic; my rating 4.5.
    9.
  • Book Review with Giveaway Link: Warrior's Moon by Jaclyn M. Hawkes; Medieval Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.  Ends 2/23/14.
    13.
  • Book Review with Giveaway Question: The Sheriff's Surrender by Susan Page Davis, Historical, Inspirational; my rating 4.25.  Giveaway to come soon.
FEBRUARY
    17.
  • Audible Book Review: Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle, Paranormal Romance; my rating 3.75. 
    19.
  • Book Review and Tour Giveaway: New Frontier by Jeremy Lee; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5. GC giveaway Ends 3/2/14.
    20.
  • Book Review with Print Giveaway: Sleeping Dogs by Tony Vanderwarker; Thriller; my rating 5.0. Open US Only. Ends 2/28/14.
    23.
  • Audio Book Review: The Tempest by William Shakespeare; Classic, Dramatization; my rating 4.0.
    25.
  • Audio Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks; fantasy; my rating 4.75.
MARCH
    32.
  • Audio Book Review: A Blind Goddess by James R. Benn; World War II Mystery; my rating 4.25.
    33.
  • Book Review: Heart of a Hero by Marie Higgins; Historical Romance, Western, Inspirationa; my rating 4.25.
    36.
  • Book Review: Jaspar's War by Cym Lowell; Thriller; my rating 4.25.
APRIL
    39.
  • Audio Book Review: The Protector by Marliss Melton; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.
    40.
  • Book Review: Issachar's Heirs by Brian Chilton; Political Thriller, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.75. 
    41.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar; Inspirational, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.  Ends 4/14/14, 5pm CST.
    49.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: The Seducer by Madeline Hunter; Historical Romance; my rating 3.75. 
    52.
  • Book Review: Fair Play: a Novel by Deeanna Gist; Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 5.0. 
MAY
    56.
  • Audio Book Review: Harmless by Ernie Lindsey; Mystery; my rating 4.0. 
    60.
  • Book Review: Thunder Mountain by Dean Wesley; Time Travel, Romance; my rating 4.0.
    63.
  • Audio Book Review: Erian's Lair #2 by Tony Lee Henderson; Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction; my rating 4.0.
    65.
  • Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Kristine Grayson; Paranormal  Romance; my rating 4.0.
    66.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: The Windflower by Laura London; Historical Romance; my rating 3.5.
JUNE
    70.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: The Trouble With Harry by Katie MacAllister; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.  Open US; ends July 2, 2014.
    73.
  • Audible Book Review: Greenwillow by B.J. Chute; Classic Fiction; my rating 5.0.
    74.
  • Audio Book Review: Edge of Tomorrow by Hiroshi Sakurazaka; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
    75.
  • Audible Book Review plus (Audio)  Giveaway: Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb; Crime Thriller, Mystery; my rating 5.  Open US; ends July 12, 2014.
    76.
  • Book Review and (Print) Giveaway: Heading Home by John Robinson; Christian Fiction; my rating 4.0.  Open US; ends July 12, 2014.
    77.
  • Book Review: Inn at Last Chance by Hope Ramsey; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.
    78.
  • Audible Book Review: Jenning's Diary by Anthony Buckeridge; Juvenile Fiction, Classic; my rating 4.0.  
JULY
    80.
  • Book Review and Comment Giveaway: Sunshine by Janet Spaeth; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Comment Giveaway Open Worldwide. Ends 7/22/14.
    82.
  • Book Review: Take Back the Morning by Evan Howard; Inspirational Fiction, Thriller; my rating 4.0.  
    84.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: Every Time I Love You by Heather Graham; Contemporary Romance with historical elements; my rating 4.0.  Open US. Ends 8/2/14.
    85.
  • Book Review: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie; Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.25.  
    86.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: Priceless by Christina Dodd; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75. Open US. Ends 8/9/14.
AUGUST
    90.
  • Book Review and Tour $25.00 Giveaway: Son of War, Daughter of Chaos by Janette Rallison; YA Fantasy, Thriller; my rating 4.5.  Open Worldwide. Ends 8/24/14.
    93.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston; Sci Fi Thriller, Mystery; my rating 4.5. Open Mixed - Worldwide and US. Ends 8/23/14.
    98.
  • Book Review: Chieftain by Command by Frances Housden; Historical Romance, Scottish; my rating 4.0.  
    99.
  • Audio Book Review: Curve of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet; Memoir; my rating 5.0. 
SEPTEMBER
    102.
  • Book Review: The Traitor by Grace Burrowes; Historic Romance, Regency; my rating 4.25.
    105.
  • Book Review: Neverhome by Laird Hunt; Historic Fiction, Civil War; my rating 4.5.
    106.
  • Audio Book Review: Dead Case at Deadwood, Deadwood Mystery Book 3 by Ann Charles; Mystery, Humor; my rating 4.0.
    107.
  • Book Review: The Night Vistor by Dianne Emley; Mystery, Paranormal Thriller, my rating 4.25.
    108.
  • Book Review: Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee; Mystery, Paranormal Thriller, my rating 4.25.
    111.
  • Book Review: Global Predator by Jack Maclean; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
    126.
  • Book Review and eBook Giveaway: Pushing the Limit (Alpha Ops) by Emmy Curtis; Military Romance; my rating 4.25. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/14/14.
    136.
  • Audio Book Review: Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy; Sci Fi, YA ; my rating 4.0.
DECEMBER
    140.
  • 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.
    146.
  • Book Review: The Heir by Lynne Stringer; YA, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
    148.
  • Book Review and Giveaway: Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions by Aaron Tabor #JesusDailyBook; Christian, Spiritual; my rating 4.5. Tour Giveaway book + Tshirt, US Only; ends 12/20/14.
    150.
  • 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.
    154.
  • Book Review: The Advent Bride by Mary Connealy; Historical Romance, my rating: 4.5.
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First Book of the Year 2015


This Event is hosted by our lovely friend Sheila at Book Journey.  She will be posting a montage of all those participating showing our picture with our First Book of 2015.  Check it out and see what books everyone is starting the new year with!

This is the book I chose for my First read in 2015.
It is from my 2009 TBR Kindle list and
I think I will like it plus I am reading it as part of the 2014-15 Winter COYER challenge.


Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed
Carolyn Mahaney (Author), Nicole Mahaney Whitacre (Author), Kristin Chesemore (Author), Janelle Bradshaw
Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2007
Overwhelmed. Miserable. Exhausted. These are often the words that women use to describe their high-demand lifestyles. How are women who are always on the go expected to cope with the demands of work, family, and ministry?
Carolyn Mahaney and her three daughters, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, and Janelle Bradshaw, recognize the needs of Christian women today. Shopping for Time offers the solution to women who truly desire to glorify God with every use of their time.
These authors offer five tips to help ladies do it all without becoming overwhelmed: rise early, sit down, sit longer (occasionally), choose friends wisely, and take fifteen minutes. By weaving biblical principles of God's Word into these keys, these authors give women practical advice on how to fulfill-and excel in-their daily responsibilities.


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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The TBR Double Dog Dare

The TBR Double Dog Dare


Full rules can be found HERE.

James says that The TBR Double Dog Dare is not really a reading challenge but a dare.
All you have to do to win the TBR Double Dog Dare is to read only from your TBR pile between January 1 and April 1.
I think this may be the hardest for me to achieve if it wasn't for the "exceptions.". Fortunately the rules, or non-rules, are flexible and you can exempt review books, arcs and book club books. With those exceptions I certainly have enough books to meet this dare. I even realized I have many Audible titles on my TBR that I can read during this three months too. I do expect overlap with other TBR and Audio challenges. :-)

I have been mindful of reading for COYER (and TBR DOUBLE DARE) so that other than selecting two audible books per month from my automatic subscription I have purchased NO books since December. I have only added six NetGalley books and six review books since the beginning of January. So, except for free Kindle books I have done well reading from my own TBR piles!


    JANUARY
  1. Book Review: Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed by Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Mahaney Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, Janelle Bradshaw; Nonfiction, Motivational; my rating 4.5.
  2. Book Review: Only Enchanting, A Survivors' Club Novel by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
  3. Audible Book Review: 25 Perfect Days by Mark Tullius; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 3.75. (This one might be better in text.)
  4. Audible Book Review: FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) Written by Michael J. Sullivan; Fantasy;  my rating 4.5.
  5. Book Review and Giveaway: Amish White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter; Amish, Christian Fiction; my rating 3.75.
  6. Audio Book Review: The Eighth Day by Michael O'Neal; Thriller, Action Adventure, YA; my rating 4.0.
  7. Book Review: Exodus 2022 by Kenneth G. Bennett; Sci Fi Thriller;  my rating 4.25.
  8. AudioBook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal; Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
  9. Book Review: 'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5. 
  10. Book Review: Starship Blackbeard by Michael Wallace; Sci Fi, Action Adventure; my rating 4.75.
  11. Book Review: Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands) by Gwyn Cready; Time Travel, Highlander; my rating 4.0. 
  12. Book Review: The Founders' Plot by Frank Victoria; Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.
  13. Book Review: Hawk (The Quiet Professionals, Book 2) by Ronie Kendig; Military Romance, Christian; my rating 4.25.
    14. FEBRUARY
  14. Book Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis; Fantasy, Highlander; my rating 4.25.
  15. Book Review and Giveaway: Saving Hope: The Men of the Texas Rangers - Book 1 by Margaret Daley; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5. 
  16. Audio Book Review: Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 by J. D. Robb Crime Thriller; my rating 4.75.
  17. Audio Book Review: Heart of Stone: Irish Angel Series by Jill Marie Landis; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.0.
  18. Book Review: The Oath of Nimrod: Giants, MK-Ultra and the Smithsonian Coverup by David S. Brody; Mystery, Historical Theories; my rating 4.0.
  19. Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.
  20. Book Review: Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart; Historical Romance, Christian; my rating 4.5.
  21. Audible Book Review: Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11 by Charlaine Harris; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
  22. Audible Book Review: Review: The Beast Master by Andre Norton; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
    23. MARCH
  23. Audible Book Review: Finding Mr. Right by Emily Carmichael ; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
  24. Audible Book Review: Legendarium by Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker; Fantasy, Humor; my rating 4.0.
  25. Book Review and Print Giveaway: Interlude in Death, In Death 12.5, by J.D. Robb; Futuristic Crime Mystery; my rating 4.5.
  26. Audio Book Review: Quitter by Jon Acuff; Nonfiction; my rating 4.0.
    27.

Completed: 26 books from my TBR shelf out of 39 titles read before April 1. 10 of these were NetGalley or audio review titles picked up in 2014 but that still left 16 TBR books in the first three months so I am pleased with that. It exceeded the 13 new titles (all reviews and none purchased). :-)
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The Official 2015 TBR Pile Challenge

The Official 2015 TBR Pile Challenge
hosted by Roof Beam Reader


Check all rules at Roof Beam Reader.com

Goal: Specify and read 12 books that must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. (All published prior to 1/1/2014.)
The list must be finalized by 1/15/15. I think I am comfortable with the list below so I don't expect changes. My list shows the book, author and date added to my library.

1/10/15 I have updated my list to replace two print books with ebooks although I still hope to read the two print wins during the year. Also, I replaced one audio choice with an ebook. Chances are I'll get to the audios anyway. :-)   The alternates also changed to an older ebook and an older Audible title.
Four books are from authors I have read before (including one of the alternates); the other ten will be new to me.  All of the choices are books I have had since 2012 or earlier.
(The links go to my review of the book as I post them.)

1. Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Mahaney Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, Janelle Bradshaw September 4,2009
2. Homespun Bride Jillian Hart May 4,2009
3. Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel (The Midnight Breed.. Lara Adrian May 4,2009
4. Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson Audible Nov 2011
5. Awaken His Eyes: The Awakened Book One Jason Tesar May 2011
6. The New World (FREE short story) (Chaos Walking) Patrick Ness Nov 2010
7. On the Run (The Elijah Project) Bill Myers, James Riordan Nov 2010
8. The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries #1 Debbie Viguie Oct 2010
Dead Reckoning Ronie Kendig Sept 2010
9. Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River) Robyn Carr Sept 2010
10. Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice Book #1): A Novel Irene Hannon April 2012
Spying in High Heels (High Heels Mysteries #1) Gemma Halliday Sept 2011

Alternates:
11. Frozen Past (A Jaxon Jennings' Detective Mystery Thriller Series, Book 1) Richard C Hale July 2012
12. Extremes: A Retrieval Artist Novel by Kristine Kathryn Rusch Audible Oct 12

Plus for sure I will read Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer - I wasn’t positive if I should count this book as it was on my Wish list since 2012 but not purchased until 2/2014. I'm such a fuddy-duddy stickler when it comes to rules that I decided not to include it in the “official” list but it is a definite read for me in early 2015.
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Audio Book Review: Dreamer's Pool: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1 Written by: Juliet Marillier

This dark faireytale, complete with tortured characters, tricky fae magic and mysteries, is probably my favorite read of 2014.
Dreamer's Pool: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1
Written by: Juliet Marillier
Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Natalie Gold, Nick Sullivan
Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
Series: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-04-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0


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.


Review:
Blackthorn is a woman who suffered loss and was locked up and abused when she tried to speak out about murder and injustice. The reader meets Blackthorn and Grim in a cesspool of a dungeon. Blackthorn is hoping to finally get a chance to speak out to the counsel on her innocence and the abuse she has suffered. Instead she is mocked by the guards and told that she will not be alive in the morning. Before she can succumb to complete despair she is visited by a fae Mage. He offers her freedom with several conditions. She must go to the village of Dalriada to serve as a healer; she must help whoever asks for help; and she must remain for seven years, setting aside her plans for revenge. Although the terms are hard to accept she decides it is better to live for now.

Grim is a giant of a man who has watched Blackthorn constantly from the next cell. He has watched over and tried to encourage the “Lady” whenever he could. Grim helps Blackthorn to escape the dungeon when the opportunity unexpectedly arises. He also tries to help other prisoners before he follows Blackthorn. He has nowhere else to go but really he is determined to protect her and be near the hope and light he sees within her battered being. There are only glimpses of Grim’s past but it is clear that he too is an anguished soul.

Blackthorn and Grim set up in a cottage on the estate of Prince Oran. The Prince has finally agreed to marry after a letter courtship with his intended bride, Lady Flidais. Lady Flidais and her entourage suffer tragedy when Lady Flidais’ handmaiden is drowned near the edge of the village of Dalraida. Oran is excited to welcome Lady Flidais but he is surprised by her behaviors. At first her headaches and sudden estrangement from her beloved dog are explained as the result of fatigue and distress. However, as the days come closer to their hand-fasting, Oran fears that something serious has happened to the young woman and love he dreamed of through her letters. He seeks the help of Blackthorn in a last effort to resolve his confusions.

This book is filled with totally engaging characters and a gripping tale of tragedy, hardships, folklore and dark magic! The story is told in a versatile manner from the rotating first person views of the three primary characters, Blackthorn, Grim and Oran. There are wonderful historic descriptions of the settings - dungeon, fortress, village, gypsy camp - all blended nicely into the storyline. There is backstory woven in as well as mysteries to be solved with steady reasoning and bold courage. Although I guessed the details in both mysteries it was still a delight to watch the protagonists unravel the truth and deal with the wrongdoers.

This was a delightful surprise and a book I did not want to put down. This entanglement concludes satisfactorily but leaves open questions that make me eager for more episodes and adventures. I have not read Ms. Marillier before but I will definitely be seeking the next book in this series and other works too. I highly recommend this tale to readers who enjoy a thoroughly engaging fantasy.

Audio Notes: The three narrators, Scott Aiello, Natalie Gold and Nick Sullivan, did a great job in
sharing the depths of their characters. There were times I was annoyed by the characters’ emotional responses, or lack thereof, but I felt this was intentional and that the narration conveyed the nuances of each character. The audio enhanced my pleasure in an already absorbing story.


This was a really lucky pick for me to receive from Audible through Audiobook Jukebox.
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