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Thursday, January 1, 2015

2015 Netgalley Reading Challenge

2015 Netgalley Reading Challenge
hosted by Ariel at Fictively.com  

2015netgalleychallenge
Rules and sign up can be found HERE.

Goal: You can continue to request galleys, or you can read the ones you already have. The point is to get your feedback ratio closer to the recommended 80%.
I actually stay close to 79-80% most of the time but this will help me stay on track and keep me reading some good review books.

I read 37 books from NetGalley in 2014 so the Challenge Level I chose for 2015 is 31-40 books or “Difficult”:


MBS 2015 NetGalley Challenge

    JANUARY
  1. Book Review: Only Enchanting, A Survivors' Club Novel by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
  2. Book Review: Exodus 2022 by Kenneth G. Bennett; Sci Fi Thriller;  my rating 4.25.
  3. Book Review: 'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5. 
  4. Book Review: Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands) by Gwyn Cready; Time Travel, Highlander; my rating 4.0. 
  5. Book Review: Hawk (The Quiet Professionals, Book 2) by Ronie Kendig; Military Romance, Christian; my rating 4.25.
    6. FEBRUARY
  6. Book Review and Giveaways: What a Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky Dreiling; Historic Romance; my rating 3.75. 
  7. Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.
    8. MARCH
  8. Book Review: The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
  9. Book Review: Monday’s Lie by Jamie Mason; Mystery; my rating 4.5.
  10. Book Review: Echoes (A Harp Security Novel) by Laura K. Curtis; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
  11. Book Review and Giveaways: A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel) by Kim Amos; Contemporary Romance, Small town; my rating 3.5. 
  12. Book Review and Giveaways: Scandalously Yours by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5. 
    13. APRIL
  13. Book Review: A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie; Historical Romance, WWI; my rating 4.25
  14. Book Review: Shadow Study (Soulfinders) by Maria V. Snyder; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
  15. Book Review: The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig; Fantasy, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
  16. Book Review and Giveaways: Fringe Benefits (The Ladies Who Lunch) by Sandy James; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 3.75.
  17. Book Review and Giveaways: Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. 
    18. MAY
  18. Book Review: The Shadow Cartel (The Dominic Grey Series) by Layton Green; Mystery Suspense, Thriller, my rating 4.25.
  19. Book Review: Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey; Historic Romance, Romance; my rating 4.5.
  20. Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Once Upon a SEAL (Lucky Thirteen Book 5) by S.M. Butler; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.
  21. Book Review: Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1) by Christi J. Whitney; Paranormal, YA; my rating 4.25.
  22. Book Review and Giveaways: Passionately Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.
    23. JUNE
  23. Book Review: Judas the Apostle by Van Mayhall Jr.; Biblical thriller; my rating 4.0.
  24. Book Review and Giveaway: A New Hope (Thunder Point series) by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5.
    25. JULY
  25. Book Review and Blitz Giveaway: A Promise of Forever (A Tallgrass Novel Book 1) by Marilyn Pappano; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5. US and Canada; Ends 7/11/2015.
  26. Book Review: SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Fox by Don Mann, Ralph Pezzullo; Military Thriller; my rating 4.25.
  27. Book Review: A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris; Fantasy, Steampunk, Fairy Tale; my rating 4.5.
  28. Book Review: Footsteps in the Sky by Greg Keyes; Science Fiction; my rating 4.25.
    29. AUGUST
  29. Book Review: Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery) by Ellen Byron; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
  30. Book Review: Dark Horse by Michelle Diener; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.
  31. Book Review: A City Called Smoke: The Territory 2 by Justin Woolley; Science Fiction, Action Adventure; my rating 4.25.
  32. Book Review: To Honor You Call Us (Man of War Book 1) by H. Paul Honsinger; Sci Fi Military, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.
  33. Book Review: Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime) by Rebecca Raisin; Small Town, Contemporary Romance; my rating 3.75.
    34. SEPTEMBER
  34. Book Review: The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler; Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
  35. Book Review: Death of the Blue Flower by Roxann Hill; Mystery, Crime Thriller; my rating 4.5.
  36. Book Review (Plus Giveaway Link): The Last Chance Christmas Ball - Collection of Eight Wonderful Authors; Historical Romance, Holiday; my rating 4.5.
  37. Book Review: Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders: A Novel by Julianna Baggott Women's Fiction; my rating 4.5.
  38. Book Review: Children of the Comet by Donald Moffitt; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
    39. OCTOBER
  39. Book Review: Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story (A Year of Weddings Novella) by Becky Wade; Contemporary Romance, Novella; my rating 4.5.
  40. Book Review: Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 3) by Shelley Gray; Historical Romance, Inspirational, Mystery; my rating 5.0.
    41. NOVEMBER
  41. Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Steal Me (NYPD's Finest) by Lauren Layne ; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
  42. Book Review: Nirvana (Nirvana Series Book 1) by J.R. Stewart; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Dystopian; my rating 4.0.
  43. Book Review: Joy to the Worlds: Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays by Four Authors; Speculative Fiction; my rating 4.25.
    44. DECEMBER
  44. Book Review: The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection by 12 authors; Christian & Historical Romance; my rating 4.25+.
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FULL HOUSE READING CHALLENGE 2015

FULL HOUSE READING CHALLENGE 2015
Hosted by Book Date

See rules and sign up post HERE.

Challenge = Complete the card below. You can do it in any order you wish. You are allowed "one free exchange", if there is something on the square you really dislike you may change it to something of your choice. Once you have played this free choice that is it. Mention the exchange in the final summary post.

This looks like fun and should overlap well with my TBR challenges. :-)

BY THE WAY - HERE IS A SHOUT OF "THANKS" to Kathryn at Book Date. I saw most (if not all) of the challenges I have chosen this year at her blog.
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2015 Audiobook Challenge

2015 Audiobook Challenge
Hot Listens/2015 Audiobook Challenge
Sign up and rules are found HERE.

The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2015 than you did in 2014. I listened to 63 audios in 2014 so my goal will be:
  • Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+



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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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