Winners: January 2015 Through April 11, 2015

I am so sorry - I didn't realize I hadn't posted Winners in the Winners Announcements for three months!
The Winners can always be found listed on the Giveaway page and they are shown in the sidebar for a week or so after announced.
Some of these are tour wins so winners canl check the rafflecopter announcements on those giveaway posts.

***ALL WINNERS at MBS: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form AND if you want you can email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers. I am now asking for mailing info in the giveaway forms so I can mail the books even if I don't hear from the winner.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)]

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

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Giveaway Ended April 11, 2015



Giveaway: A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel) by Kim Amos;
Rafflecopter ended - check for winners.
Print copy through Hachette - WINNER: BETH C




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Giveaway Ended April 10


Giveaways: Scandalously Yours by Cara Elliott
Rafflecopter - 10 Copies ended 4/5/15 - check rafflecopter
One Print Copy through Hachette - WINNER: SUE F




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Giveaway Ended March 31, 2015

Print Giveaway: Interlude In Death: In Death, Book 12.5 by J. D. Robb
My giveaway
WINNER: CINDI C



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Giveaway Ended March 1 and 2, 2015

Giveaways: What a Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky Dreiling
Rafflecopter - 3 Sets Sinful Scoundrel Series WINNERS: check rafflecopter
One Print Copy through Hachette - WINNER: VICKI W




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Giveaway Ended February 15, 2015


Giveaway: Saving Hope: The Men of the Texas Rangers - Book 1 by Margaret Daley; 
My giveaway
WINNER: LAURIE B



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Giveaway Ended February 14, 2015


Romance is in the Air $250 Cash Giveaway
Multiple Bloggers Giveaway
WINNER: Amy H.



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Giveaway Ended January 26, 2015

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop 2015!
My giveaway as part of Hop
WINNER: RENATA S.




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Giveaway Ended January 18, 2015



Giveaway: Amish White Christmas Pie& by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My giveaway
WINNER: MICHELLE T

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 20, 2015

This meme starts at Book Journey! My prayers continue for Sheila's family.


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.

Last week was a bit of push - having to finalize taxes and juggling tasks at work. We've had rain which is good for our dry areas.   

I enjoyed my reading again last week even though I only finished one eBook and one audio. But I am almost finished another eBook and a couple hours into an audio.  I posted three reviews (one with a giveaway) so I stayed up to date. I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I visited blogs early in the week but never got back with my pushy feeling schedule.
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 April 13, 2015.

• Audible Book Review: Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt; legal Mystery, dogs; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1 by Rita Gerlach; Historical Fiction, American Revolution; my rating 3.5. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 17, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 4/23/2015.

• Book Review: Shadow Study (Soulfinders) by Maria V. Snyder; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #199 Comment Giveaway 4/18/15; Open Worldwide. Ends 4/25/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 19, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Shadow Study (Soulfinders)
by Maria V. Snyder
This was wonderfully entertaining. The post is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/ MP4

Blood for Ink: The Scarlet Plumiere Series, Book 1
Written by: L. L. Muir
Narrated by: Jim McCance
I selected this through AudioBook Jukebox 
This was a fun listen.
Click on book title for full description.

I did watch another book made into movie this week: 
Divergent the movie
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

The Fire Sermon
by Francesca Haig
I am 85% completed in this book and will probably finish tonight or Monday morning. The review will post this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible

Trident's First Gleaming:
A Special Operations Group Thriller
Written by: Stephen Templin
Narrated by: Brian Troxell
There is lots of action in this story which
I received through AudioBook Jukebox
Publisher's Summary
Former SEAL Chris Paladin leaves SEAL Team Six to become a pastor, but CIA spook Hannah Andrade pulls him back into Special Operations Group, the ultra-secret unit that SEAL Team Six operators and others served under to eliminate bin Laden. Chris and Hannah are joined by Delta Force’s Sonny Cohen to stop a new terrorist threat from launching a deadly cyber-terror against the United States.
©2014 Stephen Templin Recorded by arrangement with the author c/o Trident Media Group LLC (P)2014 ListenUp Production, LLC.

3. eBook/Kindle

Fringe Benefits (The Ladies Who Lunch)
by Sandy James
This is a small town romance from an author I enjoy.
My review with giveaway for blog tour blitz will post 4/23.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 21, 2015
When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. High school teacher Danielle Bradshaw deserves a happily ever after, and the Ladies Who Lunch are determined to deliver Mr. Right. 
HOT FOR TEACHER
As the new head of the English department, Dani doesn't have much time for anything but lesson planning and literature. Romance-or even sex? Forget about it. But then the principal introduces her to last-minute hire Nate Ryan. Finding time to mentor a new teacher won't be easy, especially when his incredible body and equally disarming charisma are enough to make her heart skip a beat . . .
Nate may be fresh out of school, but he's confident in his teaching skills-and in his feelings for Dani. But while she's everything he's ever wanted, he knows his place on her staff-and his age-may be problematic for his sexy boss. How can he convince her to ignore the gossip mill currently in full swing in the teacher's lounge and surrender to what's meant to be?
"Sweet, endearing and delightful...Sometimes you just need that heartfelt, hometown romance and Fringe Benefits hit the spot." ~ Beth, Tome Tender, 5 stars

4. eBook/Kindle

Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street)
by Cara Elliott
I enjoyed the first book and grabbed this one to read and share too!
Book Review and Giveaway will post 4/28.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
THE HELLIONS OF HIGH STREET SERIES CONTINUES WITH SINFULLY YOURS...
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 things they are encouraged to pursue are eligible bachelors. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .
SINFULLY YOURS
After an eventful Season, Anna Sloane longs for some peace and quiet to pursue her writing. Though her plots might be full of harrowing adventure and heated passion, she'd much prefer to leave such exploits on the page rather than experience them in real life. Or so she thinks until she encounters the darkly dissolute-and gorgeously charming-Marquess of Davenport.
Davenport has a reputation as a notorious rake whose only forte is wanton seduction. However the real reason he's a guest at the same remote Scottish castle has nothing to do with Anna . . . until a series of mysterious threats leave him no choice but to turn to her for help in stopping a dangerous conspiracy. As desire erupts between them, Davenport soon learns he's not the only one using a carefully crafted image to hide his true talents. And he's more than ready to show Anna that sometimes reality can be even better than her wildest imaginings . . .

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.

April Scheduled -
4/23/15 Fringe Benefits by Sandy James - Blog Tour Review
4/28/15 Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott - Blog Tour Blitz
4/30/15 The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson - Blog Tour

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

I posted three reviews last week so I am still up to date. :-)
I am (very) slowly reading the waiting NetGalley titles in between the new ones.

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 three ebook titles for blog tour reviews and picked up an additional title on NetGalley.
Surprise! Not. 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 received three ebooks for Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours:
These Two books through Edelweiss:

Review date 4/30
The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story
by  Brooke Johnson
"Sometimes, even the most unlikely person can change the world."

Review date 5/28
The Clockwork Crown (Clockwork Dagger Novels Book 2)
by Beth Cato
"Rich in atmosphere, imagination, and fun, the action-packed, magic-filled sequel to The Clockwork Dagger is an enchanting steampunk fantasy, evocative of the works of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger."

I received this title from NetGalley

Review Date 5/27
Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1)
by Christi J. Whitney
"But when strangers arrive in town, Sebastian soon realizes that his world is nothing at all what it seemed. Secretive gypsies surround him, shadowy figures stalk him, and the girl he’s been dreaming about turns up at school."

This book I found at NetGalley while downloading The Grey:

Letters to the Lost
by Iona Grey
"I promised to love you forever, in a time when I didn't know if I'd live to see the start of another week. Now it looks like forever is finally running out. I never stopped loving you. I tried, for the sake of my own sanity, but I never even got close, and I never stopped hoping either."

Won

None

Purchased

Okay - It's past April 1 so officially the TBR Double Dog Dare is over and I can permit myself to buy books again. I fell off the no purchase wagon to buy these five bundles at $.99 each:

The Big Book of Time Travel Romance

Sarah Woodbury, Cassidy Cayman, Ranay James, Angeline Fortin, Monique Martin, E.B. Brown

Magnificent Medieval Romance

Catherine Kean, Kathryn Le Veque, Anna Markland, Laurel O'Donnell

Medieval Masters of Timeless Romance (Medieval Masters Collection Series)

Kathryn Le Veque

Swept Through Time: 7 Bestselling Time Travel Treasures

Tamara Gill, Brenda Hiatt, Callie Hutton, C.A. Szarek, Clover Autrey, Laura Marie Altom, Louise Clark

Hiatt Regency Classics 1, 2 & 3: Gabriella, The Cygnet, Lord Dearborn's Destiny

Brenda Hiatt

Free

Over the past week I added only 41 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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 19, 2015

This morning we heard from two mission fronts. Our Sunday School teacher showed us more photos and videos from his recent visit to Haiti. We are so excited by the obvious opportunity to help physically (we are looking for ways to help build a well near the new church grounds) and spiritually through the two congregations, one in Dessalines and one in St. Marks.

Our guest preacher is a missionary whose family will be going to Sri Lanka late this summer. The young teenage children sang a song, You Make Be Brave, that I was unfamiliar with. It is perfect for their family as they prepare to go to a foreign land on the other side of  the world as Christian “boots on the ground”.

The young pastor read from Numbers 16:46-48. He noted that Moses told Aaron to hurry to the altar, get (holy) fire and make atonement for the people as the plague was upon the people - as a wave of death. Aaron took his stand between the dead and the living, so the plague was checked (v48). Just so this missionary believes he is called to stand between the dead and living on a rescue mission to bring the good news to the lost. The pastor, while on a short visit to Sri Lanka, heard God’s message to serve; to take a generation from the foot of Buddha to the foot of the cross. A friend had started a church in Sri Lanka but several buildings were burned out. Instead of giving up they turned their efforts to home churches. The pastor speaking today, having suffered the death of two young children from disease, learned that you don't let temporary things change the eternal. God’s love and power are unshakable.

This is the song the teens sang: You Make Me Brave!
I love the song and especially like the sentence:
"Champion of Heaven, You made a way for all to enter in."

A Verse for Today
Numbers 16:48 NIV
48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Please say extra prayers for protection and success of this young family that has bravely answered the call to go and share God’s word. Also continue to share prayers for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and Sri Lanka.

Sharing Beyond Books #199 Comment Giveaway April 18, 2015

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB! Just look at that number - next week will be SBB #200! Let's have a party! Next week - not this week - Everyone prepare to share a favorite reading quote -- this gives you a week+ to decide on one. I'll pick a winner to get a book of choice (doesn't have to be on my lists).

How has your second April week been? the week was a bit strange for me. I spent time getting taxes completed while we had plenty of rain.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

The majority of commenters, nine of us, feel that their tastes have changed as they matured. Interestingly one person reads "weightier" books now while another likes entertainment instead of serious reads. :-)  Fredamans' answer made me laugh - yes I think most of us no longer read The Little Golden books or Dr. Seuss! Although - I do read those to my grandchildren.
Six people feel like their tastes haven't changed -- their reading is steady.

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The Winner from SBB #198 comments is: #6 Rita 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 #199 (One Question.)

Q1. bn100 asks: If you look at reviews, what are some of your pet peeves in reviews??

A: I like this question. Spoilers may be a peeve for some. (Recently an author asked me to adjust my review because she thought it contained spoilers. I do try to describe the main characters and a bit of the plot. However I try to avoid spoilers. I did delete a couple of sentences to adjust that review.)  Now - as to my peeves. I recently read a couple of reviews that were basically "oh I really like this..." with no detail of character or plot or writing technique. So lack of detail is my pet peeve in reviews.

Image found at QuoteHD.

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. bn100 asks: If you look at reviews, what are some of your pet peeves in reviews??

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 April 25, 2015 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review: Shadow Study (Soulfinders) by Maria V. Snyder

This is a wonderful revisit with great characters and a worthy addition to the series!
Shadow Study (Soulfinders)
by Maria V. Snyder

• File Size: 1120 KB
• Print Length: 413 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0778317404
• Publisher: MIRA (March 1, 2015)
• Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.
• ASIN: B00OYBW5FY

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 1, 2015
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.
Once, only her own life hung in the balance…
Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.
Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.
Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…

Review:
Yelena is a Sitian with magic abilities - in fact, she is a Soulfinder which is rare and dangerous. She delivers souls to their rightful destination - peace or hell. Yelena didn’t know about her own talents until she began working as the poison taster as a prisoner under Valek’s authority. Yelena has faced many dangers and survived through the help of magic, her own wits and sometimes Valek and friends.

Valek is an Ixian assassin. He has the unusual trait of being immune to magic which helped make him extremely successful and dangerous. Initially Valek and Yelena were worlds apart. Presumably his position in Ixia, where his Commander forbids magic, kept them apart. Then Yelena was assigned as a liaison between the communities and a personal relationship developed.

They both have made many enemies but for the most part, those who are not afraid of Yelena’s powers are afraid of her ‘mate’ Valek’s abilities. Yet there are those who want to hinder her even at the risk of angering him.

While visiting with Valek for a brief private rendezvous Yelena is shot with an unknown poison. She is able to remove the toxin with her healing skills and Valek thinks she is all right as he returns to Ixiaa at the call of his commander. But Yelena suffers an extreme fever and chills. When she awakens she discovers her magic is completely gone. One of the immediate loses she feels is the inability to communicate telepathically with her Sandseed horse, Kiki. Fortunately Kiki is a brilliant animal and understands Yelena’s needs.

Yelena and Kiki return to Sitia where she can seek aid from the master magicians and her brother. They try to protect her secret as they research the nature of the poison and how to cure her. They proceed on to seek the help of Opal and Devlin, two other friends who experienced the loss of the their magic in the past (Glass Series).

Meanwhile Valek finds a young assassin sneaking into his commander’s quarters and challenging for his position. Rather than imprison her they end up placing her on Valek's team for training and assignment. Valek and his new recruit are assigned to work with Janco and Ari to uncover and stop a smuggler’s ring.

The wonderful thing about Ms. Snyder’s writing is she manages to create a vested interest in her characters. The author portrays events from alternating characters to help the forward motion of the plot that ultimately brings them together to face their enemies. I enjoyed how the author also follows Valek’s memories filling in his childhood background that led him to become an assassin. There was a very short time of slower pacing in the middle of the book but it picked up quickly.

It has been a number of years since I read and loved the Study trilogy - now dubbed the Soulfinders series as it continues. Yelena and Valek appeared as secondary characters in the Glass series but it is great to have them back with their own issues again. In a world of conflicting interests and power hungry leaders there are plenty of issues regarding betrayal and who can be trusted. The ending of this book may come as a surprise to readers (I guessed it early on) but issues are left open thereby promising more stories to come!

This can be read alone but I highly recommend reading the books in order. Not only will you get to know the characters but you will get to enjoy their dangerous adventures.

I selected this at NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for NetGalley Challenge.