It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 23, 2015

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 busy time last week catching up briefly in the office before heading off for spring vacation with our kids. Now we are in Orlando planning to enjoy some true R&R and time with the kids - when they aren't off in the Disney Parks. :-)

I did get to post three reviews last week and I also posted the usual memes.

I visited some blog friends early this week but then was precluded by my rushed schedule from more visits.  Maybe? I will do better this 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? Plus Mailbox Monday March 16, 2015.

• Audio Book Review: The Keeper's Calling: The Keeper's Saga, Book 1 by Kelly Nelson; Time Travel, YA Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review: The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 20, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 3/26/15.

• Book Review: Echoes (A Harp Security Novel) by Laura K. Curtis; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #195 Comment Giveaway March 22 (for 21), 2015; Open Worldwide, Ends 3/28/15.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 22, 2015

Finished Reading:
1. Print

Interlude In Death: In Death, Book 12.5
by J. D. Robb
I enjoyed this quick novella story. 
Review to post this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Monday's Lie
by James Mason
This read very quickly and I really liked it.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Echoes (A Harp Security Novel)
Laura K. Curtis
I nearly forgot I had set this for review on 3/21. 
This is a very good romantic suspense and I will look to read more in the series.
The review is linked above.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 17, 2015
Who is she?
A single photo of herself as an infant on a beach, taken before the date on her birth certificate, throws everything Calliope Pearson knows about herself into question. Hoping to find answers, she takes advantage of her job as a travel writer to make a reservation at the Caribbean island resort in the picture.
Resort security chief Mac Brody distrusts Callie on sight. After all, she looks exactly like his deceitful missing wife, Nikki, who owns half the resort. But when Nikki’s found dead, Mac's facing murder charges, and he’s sure that Callie must hold the key to proving his innocence.
The deeper Callie and Mac dive into the mystery of her past, the more bodies surface. And they’ll have to learn to trust each other, or become victims of a dark danger neither could've imagined….
Praise for TWISTED:
“Sexy small town suspense, with finely drawn characters that will tug at your heart and keep you up at night turning pages.”—Bestselling Author Dee Davis
Laura K. Curtis has always done everything backwards. As a child, she was extremely serious, so now that she’s chronologically an adult, she feels perfectly justified in acting the fool. She started teaching at age fifteen, then decided to go back to school herself at thirty. And she wrote her first book in first grade. It was released in (notebook) paperback to rave reviews and she's been trying to achieve the same level of acclaim ever since. She lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and a pack of wild Irish Terriers, which has taught her how easily love can coexist with the desire to kill.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP4

Quitter
by Jon Acuff
I have just started this title which my son recommended to me and I picked up as a free read over a year ago.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Scandalously Yours (The Hellions of High Street)
by Cara Elliott
I picked this up last minute for blog tour for Forever Romance.
Review to post on March 31.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only thing they are encouraged to pursue is an eligible bachelor. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .
SCANDALOUSLY YOURS
The eldest of the three Sloane sisters, Olivia is unafraid to question the boundaries of Society-even if it does frequently land her in trouble. Disdaining the glittery world of balls and courtship, Olivia prefers to spend her time writing fiery political essays under a pseudonym for London's leading newspaper. But when her columns attract the attention of the oh-so-proper Earl of Wrexham, Olivia suddenly finds herself dancing on the razor's edge of scandal. With the help of her sisters, she tries to stay one step ahead of trouble . . .
However, after a series of madcap misadventures, Wrexham, a former military hero who is fighting for social reform in Parliament, discovers Olivia's secret. To her surprise, he proposes a temporary alliance to help win passage of his bill. Passion flares between them, but when a political enemy kidnaps the earl's young son, they must make some dangerous decisions . . . and trust that love will conquer all.

3. eBook/Kindle

A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel)

by Kim Amos

This cover pulled me in.
I picked this up also for blog tour for Forever Romance.
Review to post 4/2.

Book Description
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
TROUBLE IN HIGH HEELS . . . 
If pride goes before a fall, Willa Masterson's trip back to White Pine, Minnesota, should be one heck of a tumble The girl who left her hometown-and her first love, Burk Olmstead-in the rearview twelve years ago was spoiled and headstrong. But the woman who returns is determined to rebuild: first her family house; then her relationships with everyone in town . . . starting with a certain tall, dark, and sexy contractor.>
MEETS HER MATCH
Burk has no reason to believe Willa has changed, and every reason to discourage her from converting the Masterson house into a B&B. He has plans of his own for that house, and they certainly don't include a no-vacancy sign. But Burk didn't count on how distracting Willa's bright green eyes or her all-too-familiar touch would feel-or how impossible she will be to resist . . .

I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online. -- Really enjoying my Bible reading. It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. To go a step beyond the Bible reading I am also reading Jesus Daily 365 Interactive Devotions.

March Schedule:
March (dateTBD but looks like pushed off until April) - Ladies Book Club Book: Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1
3/31 Scandalously Yours by Cara Elliott

I am still focusing on reading NetGalley titles and TBR titles for the next couple of months.

I did post three reviews last week so I have three reviews pending for this week. :-)
I am continuing to read the waiting NetGalley titles in between blog tours.

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 two new ebooks from Hachette/Forever for review.
I downloaded more free kindle titles to my library.

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)
 Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I picked up two last minute blog tours for Forever Romance: (through NetGalley)

A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel)
by Kim Amos
(See more info in Current reading above)

Scandalously Yours (The Hellions of High Street)
by Cara Elliott
(See more info in Current reading above)

I also accepted one Author invite title from NetGalley for review:

The Shadow Cartel
The Dominic Grey Series
by Layton Green
Crime Thriller -"Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend."

Won

None

Purchased

I am continuing to resist making any purchases. :-)

Free

Over the past week I added 49 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sharing Beyond Books #195 Comment Giveaway March 22, 2015 (for March 21)

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

I had a very busy three and one-half days at work to get ready for this week of spring break. We have taken the motor coach to Orlando to spend the week with our kids and grandkids. They will be visiting several days at Disney parks while we enjoy quite at the campground.  AND BTW-- HAPPY SPRING officially although it feels like we slid right past spring and into summer weather.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Sarah noted: "I don't remember what it's like to have a manageable TBR pile." I think that most of us have that same situation and therefore we have no need to panic at the thought of running out of books. However, most of us keep a set of 3-6 books as the 'next' to read.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #194 comments is: #1 Mystica (odd 1 and 11 have been repeated winning numbers over the past several months) who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #195 (One Question.)

Q1. Rubynreba asks: What is the best** movie you have ever seen?? **Note please distinguish this from your fav movie which is a question for another day.

A: It is difficult to pick a "best" movie. Once again we have to determine if best means best production, best story or some other value. I think I will pick two: The Shawshank Redemption for its story and its beautiful execution and The Matrix for its story and innovative effects.  

The Shawshank Redemption
Image found at IMDb

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: What is the best** movie you have ever seen?? **Note please distinguish this from your fav movie which is a question for another day.
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the  Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. I still have to go back and update that list with what is left and a few new titles to add.)

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 March 28, 2015 at 5 PM  central.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 22, 2015

Our Wednesday night women’s study has been doing a study by Beth Moore called Children of the Day, 1& 2 Thessalonians. I was enjoying the study about Paul’s dedicated efforts to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. Even though he had been hindered by men and Satan, (Thessalonians 2: 14-16 and 18), suffered greatly for his efforts (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), he pressed on with every opportunity and did find times when he could proclaim and teach “with openness and unhindered” (Acts 28:30-31).

Paul and his friends exhorted the Thessalonians to proceed with the work of faith, labor of love and endurance of hope. 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Even when Paul had not yet met the people he cared for them and shared the love of Christ. This same message should speak to us today and encourage us to stand together, be bold, walk a steady course and speak out the message of the gospel of Christ.

(I am behind in the study now having missed several weeks due to travel and preparation. I may ask to watch the videos when I return and I will have to discipline myself to complete the study.)

I found this song that fits perfectly with this message since we are children of the day 

and we are the light of the world!

We Are by Kari Jobe

A Verse for Today:
1Thessalonians 5:5 (NIV)
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Prayer: I thank you Lord for providing in depth study of your word by other devoted Christians. Help me to take in the teaching and use it to spread the word of your glory and redemption. Help me to be a child of the light and of the day, sharing Your love in a darkened world.

Notice: Delay for Sharing Beyond Books

There will be a delay in posting SBB this week. We are set up in our camp site for this week but having some electric breaker issues. We took a family vacation (to Orlando, Disney World) with all the kids to join us soon! I will post this as soon as I can.

Book Review: Echoes (A Harp Security Novel) by Laura K. Curtis

This is a very good romantic suspense with the emphasis on action and suspense.

Echoes (A Harp Security Novel)

Laura K. Curtis

• File Size: 1075 KB
• Print Length: 282 pages
• Publisher: InterMix (March 17, 2015)
• Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
• ASIN: B00NGZOH6O

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 17, 2015
Who is she?
A single photo of herself as an infant on a beach, taken before the date on her birth certificate, throws everything Calliope Pearson knows about herself into question. Hoping to find answers, she takes advantage of her job as a travel writer to make a reservation at the Caribbean island resort in the picture.
Resort security chief Mac Brody distrusts Callie on sight. After all, she looks exactly like his deceitful missing wife, Nikki, who owns half the resort. But when Nikki’s found dead, Mac's facing murder charges, and he’s sure that Callie must hold the key to proving his innocence.
The deeper Callie and Mac dive into the mystery of her past, the more bodies surface. And they’ll have to learn to trust each other, or become victims of a dark danger neither could've imagined….
Praise for TWISTED:
“Sexy small town suspense, with finely drawn characters that will tug at your heart and keep you up at night turning pages.”—Bestselling Author Dee Davis
Laura K. Curtis has always done everything backwards. As a child, she was extremely serious, so now that she’s chronologically an adult, she feels perfectly justified in acting the fool. She started teaching at age fifteen, then decided to go back to school herself at thirty. And she wrote her first book in first grade. It was released in (notebook) paperback to rave reviews and she's been trying to achieve the same level of acclaim ever since. She lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and a pack of wild Irish Terriers, which has taught her how easily love can coexist with the desire to kill.

Review:
Callie is a bright, secure professional young woman. She was raised by her father who was part journalist and part diplomat. He taught her many skills to help keep her safe during their many travels. Callie is now a freelance journalist who often reviews resorts for travel magazines. This provides the perfect cover when she travels to a lush, private resort on St. Martin. She found an old picture of her mother and herself as an infant on the island that has raised her strong curiosity. As soon as she arrives at the resort she gets strange looks and a strong reaction.

Mac is infuriated when he first sees Callie. He thinks his soon to be ex-wife, who has been missing for over a week, is playing some manipulative game. Callie could be Nikki's twin although they have different body types and different attitudes. Nikki is a model thin, spoiled party-girl while Callie is more natural and, as he soon learns, very capable of living a normal life.
“Normal” at least until it becomes clear that someone is rifling her belongings and even trying to kidnap her. Mac is very impressed at how well Callie handles herself when they start racing from the police and finding themselves hiding from authorities and dodging bullets from goons.

This is a very good romantic suspense with the emphasis on action and suspense. There is good sexual tension between Callie and Mac and a few steamy encounters, but most of the story is tied up in two intersecting plot lines. A twisted serial killer has been killing young women and others who seem to have a connection to the father of the resort owner, and a connection to Callie. There also are leads to am arms dealer that has old army buddies of Mac flying to the rescue and commandeering the search for answers. The secondary security characters have interesting background, skills and resources - and will be good material in other stories I’m sure..

I really enjoyed the fast paced action and danger even if some might consider the plot a stretch on reality. But it could happen. I would have liked a little more wrap up on details acknowledging that Mac was no longer a suspect on the run from authorities. Since one major villain is still on the loose, I hope for more adventure with these characters. I would definitely read more from this author and recommend this book to readers who enjoy action-packed romantic suspense.

I received this book through Rock Star PR for an honest review. This will qualify for new author.