Audio Books for Future Giveaways

This is a group of Audio Books that are available and will be linked to certain Giveaways - like Clear Your Shelf, Audioweek and maybe Sharing Beyond Books. 

Many of these have been Review books, a few were won or they are audios I picked up along the way.

This set of Larger CD (nine) and Cassette (five) Audio books will be available for US mailings only:
Black Hills: A Novel by Dan Simmons

Absolute Power by David Baldacci

 

True Blue by David Baldacci

Hell's Corner (Camel Club)

by David Baldacci

What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
by Malcolm Gladwell

Reversal
by Michael Connelly

The Age of the Unthinkable
by Joshua Cooper Ramo

Lothaire

By Kresley Cole

(Case is missing but all discs are good)

The Island: A Novel
by Elin Hilderbrand

Note: These five are Audio Cassettes - not CDs:

The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Book 3)
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

by James Patterson

 

Kisscut: A Novel (Grant County)
by Karin Slaughter

Best Kept Secrets
by Sandra Brown

 

 

Hometown Legend
by Jerry B. Jenkins
This is a print pic as they didn't have the audio pic.

Canadian or an international winner will get to pick from these nine audio CD books. They are smaller so I hope the postage won't be too bad for international.

The Taste of Innocence CD (Cynster Novels)
by Stephanie Lauens -- CD

The Postcard Killers

by James Patterson --CD

The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town
by John Grisham -- CD

The Juror

by George Dawes Green -- CD

This pic is for cassettes but the version I have is CDs not cassettes.

Warning this book has very rough language.

Secular Sabotage: How Liberals Are Destroying Religion and Culture in America
by William A. Donohue -- CD

Marriage and Other Acts of Charity: A Memoir

by KateBraestrup -- CD

Right on the Money: Financial Advice for Tough Times
by Pat Robertson -- CD

The Snow Angel

by Glenn Beck -- CD

No Rest for the Dead
Multiple Authors -- CD

Book Blast: Dead Running and Dying to Run by Cami Checketts

See Givaway link below in this post
and please check back on 1/19 for my review.

Dead Running

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Dying to Run

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.

Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Purchase

Dead Running * Dying to Run

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.

Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

Links

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog

#BookBlast Giveaway

Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

$50 Gift Card to Running Chics

Ends 1/31/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Audio Book Review: The Broken Token by Chris Nickson

This is an engaging mystery set in poverty stricken Leeds in 1731.

The Broken Token
by Chris Nickson (Author), 
Steven Pacey (Narrator)

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Creative Content Ltd
Audible.com Release Date: September 28, 2012
Genre: Hisotircal Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publication Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher's Summary
Pickpockets, pimps, and prostitutes: All in a day’s work for the city constable – until work moves too close to home…. When Richard Nottingham, Constable of Leeds, discovers his former housemaid murdered in a particularly sickening manner, his professional and personal lives move perilously close. Circumstances seem to conspire against him, and more murders follow. Soon the city fathers cast doubt on his capability, and he is forced to seek help from an unsavoury source. Not only does the murder investigation keep running into brick walls, and family problems offer an unwelcome distraction; he can’t even track down a thief who has been a thorn in his side for months. When answers start to emerge, Nottingham gets more than he bargains for….

Review:
Richard Nottingham is the Constable of Leeds. He is dedicated to his work and caring family. Richard’s wife of twenty years, Mary, tries to keep things calm and comfortable at home. One daughter, 19 year old Rose, is quiet and malleable with a suitable young man in the wings. The other daughter, 15 year old Emily, is intense, unpredictable and seeks adventure.

Richard has to deal with the day to day drudgery crimes of a busy city, including a pickpocket that is slipping under their noses. Now he is faced with a brutal murder too. A local, unpopular evangelist and a young woman have been stabbed. He recognizes the young woman and finds around her neck a blue ribbon that used to hold the half of a ‘love’ token. She had been a maid in his household before she left to be married several years earlier. Now he is dismayed to discover that her husband had died and she had returned home where circumstances turned her to prostitution.

Richard and his dedicated second man, John Sedgwick, try to track down witnesses and clues. A local drunk is a suspect, but Richard doesn’t think he is guilty and lets him loose. Richard feels guilty when another couple is killed and there is incriminating evidence pointing clearly to the drunk. Richard is glad to be able to report that the killer is in jail until a third couple is murdered.

While Richard and John are struggling to track retrace the clues to the right killer, they are both coping with trouble at home. John’s wife is unhappy with the profession that keeps him away late hours and barely pays enough to keep food on the table. Richard’s daughter, Emily, is running off to meet someone and refusing to tell her parents where and with whom she is meeting.

I really enjoyed the history of the times and the human struggles portrayed in this mystery drama.  Mr. Nickson does a superb job of creating a devastating picture of the poverty of the community and giving personal life to the characters. There are good twists in the mystery and the suspense is built up well, especially when Richard has to seek the help of an enemy to locate Emily. She is found wearing the token missing from the first murder victim but refuses to name the source of the gift which could lead to the identity of the killer.The revealed history of the token is an added element of interest.

Some might find the times and setting bleak but I liked the details that were softened a bit by the caring emotions of Richard and his family. I recommend this particularly to mystery lovers who enjoy historical detail. I would enjoy reading/listening to more of this series.

Audio Notes: I thoroughly enjoyed the strong, accented narration. The voice fit well with the dark period and the mystery plot. Mr. Pacey’s inflection helped me to visualize the scenes and the despair of the characters. I would enjoy listening to more from this narrator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A  fitting description of the city:

...[A] place were most people existed rather than lived.

I received this to review for Creative Content through AudioBook Jukebox.

Happy New Year 2013!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I chose this image as it reminds me that the year is safe if I allow it to be in God's hands.

I received the quote below last month from a client that I had years ago who pops up every few years to say "Hi."  This struck me as an appropriate way to begin my New Year. 

I ASKED GOD

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.


I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.


I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.


I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.


I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.


I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.


I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.


I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea. 

Audio Book Review: Christmas in an Elevator by Kay Murky

This is a quick, sweet listen.

Christmas in an Elevator

Author: Kay Murky

Narrator: R.E. Chambliss
Length: 46 minutes
Free at AudioLark
Genre:  Holiday Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 

Tamara Donnelly has her mistletoe in a twist. It's bad enough her boss, Nathan Hatch, is hot enough to be Mr. August in a pin up calendar. It's worse he keeps her working late night after night. Now it's December 23rd, she's trapped in an elevator with him after hours, and she'd better keep her mind on business if she wants to keep her job.
Nathan Hatch can think of worse fates than to be stuck in an elevator with his beautiful assistant. God knows he's spent enough time wondering what she's like off the clock. They've got a bottle of brandy and a long night ahead of them, and Nathan can think of lots of interesting ways they could pass the time.A night in an elevator could be the best Christmas present ever.

Review:
I slipped this in from my  TBR, for a Just For Fun, quick Audio listen. It is a sweet holiday novella.

The scenario is somewhat predictable but nicely handled. Boss and assistant get stuck in the elevator the last night before Christmas Eve. Neither of them are dating -- Tamara had a bad experience with her last beau and Nathan is a work-a-holic who hasn’t taken time to start dating since he joined the firm five months before.  As they sit in the dark and share a bottle of brandy they share a little about themselves. Tamara explains how she will be attending the annual family Christmas Eve party where everyone will ask “where is your young man?” Although the dark and their need to be close to share warmth is tempting, they try to resist their attraction.

I was impressed that Ms. Murky was able to create pretty full characters in such a short piece. The pacing was good and the situation and dialogue realistic.

The narration is adequate if not inspiring. The voice was a bit too young sounding for my taste. If you want to fill 45 minutes with a nice easy listen this is great as a free audio.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren

This is a quick read and a sweet, inspiring Christmas story based on a real life event.
The Great Christmas Bowl
by Susan May Warren

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 184
Vendor: Tyndale House
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN: 1414326785
ISBN-13: 9781414326788
Availability: Kindle Link
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 7, 2012
Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?

Review:
Marianne loves staging her traditional holidays with her family. She and her EMT husband, Mike, are soon to be empty-nesters as four of their children have moved away to college. The youngest son, Kevin, is in high school and has finally joined the school football team, the Big Lake Trouts.

Marianne is disappointed that only a couple of the kids are coming home for Thanksgiving but she is still excited. Meanwhile she has been cheering on the Trouts who look like they have a chance to go to the state championship! Then the team lucky cheering mascot, an older gentleman who wears a large trout costume, has a heart attack. Kevin begs his mom to step in as the replacement trout. As embarrassing as that might be, Marianne can’t refuse her son.

To add to Marianne’s harassed holiday season she has been ‘drafted’ to be the new Hospitality Chairwoman at her church. That makes her responsible to handle the annual Christmas Tea. The older ladies of the church want the usual Swedish Meetballs but some of the younger ladies want a change. Marianne suggests making her famous Clam Chowder but the idea isn’t warmly received. She keeps putting off how to handle the situation even as the day creeps closer. Kevin and Mike are busy so she ends up decorating the tree by herself and dealing with more disappointing news that her children aren’t going to make it home for Christmas.

Marianne slowly, and hilariously, wiggles into her role as the Big Lake Trout. As the team continues to win the press shows up and interviews the 'Big Trout'. Someone mentions the Christmas dinner but it comes out as a Christmas Soup, and is misinterpreted as a Soup Kitchen.  Marianne is ready to give up but surprising help turns the problem into a success.

I loved the easy flow of this story and the real-life feel. I could picture Marianne’s reluctance to be the team fish and to be the hospitality chairwoman. I could also feel her frustrations and disappointments. I loved how Kevin began to stretch and grow in a great way and how his actions shine with the good things he has been taught. The circumstances surrounding the Tea hit close to home for me as we are preparing for our annual church tea to be held in January. This one is a fun story that makes you think about the true meaning of hospitality; of serving and helping others. I recommend this as a fun read with a good message.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marianne's dilemma with the Church Tea:

"Did  you know that the real meaning of hospitality is 'giving comfort to strangers'?"... "If we want to have a party for ourselves, then let's just call it that."

This is a fun, quick read which I picked up as a Bargain sale at CBD for our  Ladies Book Club.

This is set in Big Lake, north of Twin Cities, Minnesota for My Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add this to my New Author Challenge list.(I thought I read this author before but looking over her titles I do not recognize any.)
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for PRINT COPY - Two Winners.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 11, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 12, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Mailbox Monday December 31, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR DECEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Suko's Notebook!

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) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

Well - the last week of 2012 and I did add more books to my ever expanding garden! 
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Before I list the books though, I have to show this wonderful BOOKMARK I received as a RAK gift from a very sweet blogger friend! This is a homemade bookmark with a little bird pendent (I love birds!) and it is such a sweet, touching gift! It came with a lovely Christmas card and a encouraging, handwritten (rarity!) letter. Thank you Miki! I will treasure the thoughts and the gift.

Review Titles

This week I picked up four review books through NetGalley invitations:

Forever/Hachette
Immortal Craving (Dark Dynasties) 
by Kendra Leigh Castle 
(Rel 1/29/12)
 

Thomas Nelson:    

              

Every Perfect Gift (A Hickory Ridge Romance) 
by Dorothy Love 
(Rel 12/4/12)

An Amish Kitchen Anthology/Collection

Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Long  (Rel 12/18/12)

 

Waiting for Morning (The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series) 

by Margaret Brownley

(Rel 1/8/13)

Wins

None

Purchased

I purchased several Sourcebooks 12 More Days of Christmas offerings for $.99 each.

Day 1 Ruins of Lace by Iris Anthony

Day 2 Embrace and Entice by Jessica Shervington

Day 3 In Rides Trouble and Rev it Up by Julie Ann Walker

Day 4 Mariana and The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

I also purchased a set recommended by a friend:Tall, Dark, and Deadly 3 book box set $1.99

Free

From Free Book Partay 12/27:
Featured Romantic Suspense
Nights in White Satin, by Taylor Lee
His Dark Desires, by Jennifer St. Giles
Before She Dies, by Rita Herron
Walk the Right Road, by Lorhainne Eckhart
Catch Me if You Can, by Nina Bruhns

Featured Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Optical Delusions in Deadwood, by
Ann Charles
Gauntlet, by Carolyn McCray
HeartsBlood, by Carolyn McCray
Dark Lullaby, by Carolyn McCray
Targeted, by Carolyn McCray
All Hallow's Eve, by Carolyn McCray

Featured Historical Romance
The Nude, by Dorothy McFalls
Much Ado About Mavericks, by Jacquie Rogers
The Heart's Companion, by Holly Newman
Ridiculous, by D.L. Carter

More Featured Romance
Kiss of an Angel, by Janelle Denison
Provoking the Spirit, by Crista McHugh
Her Greek Romance, by Mona Risk

Featured Non-Fiction/Lighthearted/Children's
Pups in Tea Cups, by Carolyn McCray
The Creation, by Nancy Radke
Invasion of the Blue Lights, by Ruth Glick

I downloaded about 60 additional free Kindle Titles.