A BookTrib Valentine - Giveaway of Much Ado About Loving

I am sharing this News Flash, and chance to win a book about dating and love, from BookTrib:

As BookTrib’s Valentine to you, we are serving up a bibliophile’s delight on February 13 at 2 p.m. ET!

Jack Murnighan and Maura Kelly will be chatting LIVE about their book, MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVING: What Our Favorite Novels Can Teach You About Date Expectations, Not So-Great Gatsbys, and Love in the Time of Internet Personals.

USA Today called MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVING “a treat for any book lover, happily mated, or cheerfully single.”

MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVING is a series of accessible and funny essays that are equal parts dating advice and lit crit. During our chat, the authors will touch upon the timeless lessons and insights they’ve found in the world’s most beloved novels, touching on such conundrums as:

©       Why do men talk so much, and why do women put up with it? (Infinite Jest)

©       Will too much emailing before a first date work against you? (Love in the Time of Cholera)

©       Should you cross the political aisle for love? (Howards End)

©       Is it ever smart to get back together with an ex? (Remembrance of Things Passed)

©       How can you deal with a mother-in-law who’s screwing up your relationship? (Sons and Lovers)

What’s more—10 lucky winners will receive their very own copy of the book!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Mailbox Monday February 11, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For FEBRUARY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Audra @ Unabridged Chick!

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. 

I added a few more books this week. :-)
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

I received/accepted three books for review:





Jabin and the Space Pirates 
by Bev Allen
This is for review and Bewitching Blog Tour 2/9.

Sportsman’s Bet

by Judy Nichols

for March review

I also received one title at NetGalley by invitation of Hachette:


I will add this to March also. 
Lord of Darkness 
by Elizabeth Hoyt

Wins

None.

Purchased

No purchases this week.

Free

I received more books from Free Partay and
I did download more free Kindle Titles linked through Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 11, 2013

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 strangely busy week having to handle a couple of projects I didn't expect.

I wasn't sure I would finish my Audio this weekend but it was too good to delay. :-) So that made five books read and six reviews posted. I posted one book giveaway, three giveaway links and one Kindle Giveaway Post! I posted Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

Although I wanted to, I didn't get to visit much during the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me too.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? February 4, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday February 4, 2013

• Book Review and Giveaway Link $50.00: Jack Templar: Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus; Middle Grader, Adventure; my rating 4.5.  Open Worldwide. Ends 2/18/13.

• Discovery Saga Scavenger Hunt Starts February 5! MBS Review date 2/14. 

• Book Review and Print Giveaway: An Amish Kitchen Anthology; Inspirational Romance; my rating 4.5. Ends 2/15/13.

• Bookblast Giveaway $50.00 ShowStoppers and Three Sisters Blog Tour.  Open Worldwide. Ends 2/22/13.

• Book Review and Feature: A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator  by Robert G. Pielke; Alternate History, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.

• February Kindle Fire HD Author Sponsored Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 2/28/13.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 8, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 2/8/13.
  

• Audible Book Review: A Perfect Blood (Hallows 10) by Kim Harrison; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Saturday Snapshot (2/9/13) Hawaii Volcanoes.
  

• Book Review: Three Sisters (Emily Castles Mysteries) by Helen Smith; Mystery; my rating 4.0.
  

• Book Review and Giveaway Link: Showstoppers (Emily Castles Mysteries) by Helen Smith; Mystery; my rating 4.25. Ends 2/28/13.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #86 Comment Giveaway 2/9/13. Ends 2/15/13.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 10, 2013.

Finished Reading:
 
1. eBook/Kindle

A New Birth of Freedom The Translator
by Robert G. Pielke
I enjoy this alternate history series.
Review linked above. 

2. eBook/Kindle

Three Sisters (Emily Castles Mysteries)
by Helen Smith
Nice mystery with some Humor.
Review linked above.

3. eBook/Kindle

Showstoppers (Emily Castles Mysteries)
by Helen Smith
Another good mystery. 
Review and Giveaway are linked above.

4. eBook/Kindle
 

Pandora's Temple
by Jon Land
Lot's of action in this thriller.
Reviewing for Partner in Crime Book Tour to post 2/12.

5. Audio

Ever After: The Hollows, Book 11
    UNABRIDGED
    by Kim Harrison
    Narrated by Marguerite Gavin
        Series: The Hollows, Book 11
Very exciting with lots of danger.
I was glad to get this for review 
through Audiobook Jukebox!

Line Edits/Releases:
Release on 2/11:

Princess Salina and the Unicorn
by Lynne Anne Bendoly
Just as Princess Salina is to marry the Prince of Latonia, she runs off through the forest on her trusted unicorn, Moonbeam, where she finds herself in a terrible predicament which only a wise old wizard can save her from.
Children's - Middle Reader, with Illustrations; 28 pages

Currently reading:
1. Print

Goodbye to Yesterday
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
I have started this seial novella which is pleasant. 
Review and Scavenger Hunt stop to post on 2/14.
Book Description
Release date: February 5, 2013 | Series: The Discovery - A Lancaster County Saga (Book 1)
Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A confirmed pregnancy. A last-minute trip to South Bend, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds?

2. eBook/Kindle

Jabin and the Space Pirates
by Bev Allen
I am interested in where this is going.
This is for review and Bewitching Blog Tour 2/9.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 31, 2012
In the space colony of New Wales, the pirate attacks are both relentless and merciless.

Having lost both his parents, Jabin has been adopted by his austere and spiteful uncle and aunt who live in the space colony of New Wales which is riven with religious and political rivalry, and prey to the vicious maraudings of pirates whose cruelty and greed are beyond all imagination.

When Jabin volunteers to surrender himself to a pirate raiding party to save a friend, he does so believing that nothing can be worse than his current suffering.

However, he is soon to discover that things can always get worse when the stakes are high, the rewards are vast and slave labour is there for the taking.

When the King of New Wales is assassinated, the colony threatens to collapse into total anarchy, leaving the pirates free reign to mutilate, kill and profit as they will, but the forces of law and order sent out from Earth are getting ready to fight back, and Jabin could have a vital part to play in the ensuing war if he can only stay alive.

3. ebook/Kindle

Waiting for Morning (The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series)
by Margaret Brownley
I will be starting this mid week. Reviewing to post with giveaway from Thomson Nelson.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 8, 2013
If Molly Hatfield's purple attire doesn't blind you, her dazzling smile will. She doesn't just sing to the cattle, she puts on a whole show. If only she wasn't so stubborn about her brother's care. Or so distrustful of a certain handsome doctor...

There is nothing Molly wouldn't do for her teenaged brother, Donny. Blaming herself for the accident that left him wheel-chair bound, Molly has dedicated her life to his care. But in 1896, gainful employment for a woman is hard to come by. So when Molly learns that an eccentric rancher in Cactus Patch, Arizona, is looking for an heiress--someone to take over management of the ranch in exchange for future ownership--she jumps at the chance to provide a real home for her brother.

If she proves to have a knack for ranching and agrees to remain single for life, the ranch can be hers. Neither stipulation worries Molly. She's resourceful and hardworking. And she gave up dreams of marriage long ago when she dedicated her life to her brother's well-being.

However, Molly didn't bank on meeting Dr. Caleb Fairbanks, the town's handsome and charismatic young doctor, whose backfiring automobile almost gets him killed when Molly thinks she's being shot at and fires back.

But it's how he is with her brother that really alarms her. Caleb sees past the wheelchair and genuinely likes Donny, but Molly fears he's putting unrealistic ideas into her brother's head. Falling in love with Caleb would threaten everything she's worked for, even her brother's future happiness. It'll take an act of congress to convince her otherwise--and maybe even a little help from above.

Other books in the Brides of Last Chance Ranch series include Dawn Comes Early and Gunpowder Tea (available October 2013).

4. Print

Wait Until Dark
by M.L. Buchman
I love this series and look forward to reading this.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Release date: February 5, 2013 | Series: The Night Stalkers
Praise for I Own the Dawn:
"A rousing mix of romance and military action thrills...Buchman blends tender feelings with military politics to keep readers riveted."—Publishers Weekly
"I can't wait for the next book."—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
"Filled with action, adventure, and danger."—Booklist Starred Review
Name: Big John Wallace
Rank: Staff Sergeant, Chief Mechanic and Gunner
Mission: To serve and protect his crew and country.
Name: Connie Davis
Rank: Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Mechanical Wizard
Mission: To be the best...and survive.
Two Crack Mechanics, One Impossible Mission
Being in The Night Stalkers is Connie Davis's way of facing her demons head-on, but mountain-strong John Wallace is a threat on all fronts. Their passion is explosive, but their conflicts are insurmountable. When duty calls them to a mission no one else could survive, they'll fly into the night together—ready or not.

I continue to listen to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.]  I am studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year, hoping to read daily along with my DH.

Line Edits: I'm finishing two formats and working on more conversions this week.

I am started the month with 17 titles + TBRs. Four are read and reviewed and four more expected to go up this week -- so moving along. 

One Review to post from January:
     The Escape Diaries by Juliet Rosetti

FEBRUARY Scheduled: 
2/12 Review + a Giveaway:  Pandora's Temple by Jon Land (PIC - Partners in Crime Tour) 
2/14 Review + Scavenger Hunt: Goodbye to Yesterday by Wanda E. Brunstetter
2/16 Review: Jabin and the Space Pirates by Bev Allen (Bewitching Blog Tour)
2/17 Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop 
2/20 Review:  Into the Dark by Stacy Green (PIC Tour)  

Unscheduled   

Sourcebooks
      X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts
      Wait Until Dark by M.L. Buchman
      Lady Eve's Indiscretion by Grace Burrowes  

Random House
      A Most Scandalous Proposal by Ashlyn Macnamara  

Thomas Nelson (to post with Giveaway)
         Waiting for Morning (The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series) by Margaret Brownley

NetGalley
     Fix-It and Forget-It Holiday Appetizers, Finger Foods, and Beverages by Phyllis Pellman Good
     The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard

Audios: (more to come) 

From TBR Collection - TBD 
Won Book - TBD 
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: Fatal February (Mary Magruder Katz) by Barbara Levenson

Ladies Book Club (For March  9)
   White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 10. 2013

Our Associate Pastor continued the theme he started last week preaching about the Fear of the Lord.
The sermon was entitled "Abraham's Greatest Fear" based on Genesis 22:1-12 where God tested Abraham by instructing him to go to the mountains to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham did not question or argue but the next morning he got up early and went. He had three days to think about what God had asked him to do and why. He did not tell his servants so they could not talk him out of it. Abraham was faithful to the point of raising his knife when God stopped his had and provided a ram in the bush.

How could Abraham follow God's most difficult request? Abraham knew the character of God. He had experienced God's promises and faithfulness. God had promised Abraham a son and had delivered. God also had promised to make Abraham's descendants a great nation (Gen 12:2,3).  I like to think that Abraham recognized God's awesome power and, even through his fear, he was assured that God had a plan even though Abraham did not understand it.

God expected everything--complete obedience--from Abraham. Abraham showed 'persistent obedience!' God expects that of us today. He wants us to be obedient and faithful -- even unto death.

Starting a project can be exciting but we need to be faithful to finish it as God directs. Even when we fear--or perhaps especially when we fear--we have to allow God's guidance to work in us and trust that He who has started a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.

A Verse for Today:
Rev 2:10 NLT
Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

I thank God that He helps remind me to focus on Him and let earthly cares fade. I pray I will remain obedient and faithful and allow Him to complete a good work in me.
Today I ask for prayer if you have a moment to pray for God's guidance and Will to be done in a circumstance that we are praying for.

Sharing Beyond Books #86 February 9, 2013

Hello, Welcome to SBB and Welcome to 2013!
Hi! I hope everyone is doing well this week and didn't get stuck in any snow.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

Well, not too many of us have done 'crazy' things to get a book. Emily and Cheryl did wait in line for Harry Potter books and Jolene made her mom stand in line for a book she wanted. :-) Miki did the most outlandish entering a contest with 5000 comments in 24 hours. I love Mary's book wish list on the refrigerator to remind her kids to buy her books!

I was surprised that most of you do like snow...provided you don't have to drive in it. Many of you commented that snow is pretty (except in the city when it can turn dark and slushy) and fun to play in. Llehn and Abby have never seen snow but they would like to.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #85 comments is: #20 Texas Book Lover. There are still 4 'love' books to pick from and new Christmas choices. Texas Book Lover please choose a book (or GC if international) from the fifteen Love Books List for Giveaway, the new Christmas Giveaway Book list, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #86 Questions

Q1. Margaret asks: Does a bad review scare you away from reading a book or do you read it anyway??

A: I am cautious when reading other reviews as I have certainly learned that I do not share the same taste as all other readers/reviewers. There are some bloggers who I know like similar books so I can trust their judgment most of the time. Others we have divergent tastes so they might like some books I don't and vice versa. But, to be honest, I have know there were times when I noted some ratings of three or less and I have decided not to pick that book for review.

Image found at The Mad Reviewer.

Q2. My Question this week: Do you get a flu shot AND/OR what do you take for a cold??

A: I thought this question might be interesting with all the flu and colds going around. I do not get the flu shot. If my DH reminds me I will take Airborne  when I feel a cold coming on. Otherwise I just take mucinex and rotate non-aspirin and ibuprofen and I try to rest up!

Image found at I'm Trying

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! I STILL HAVE A GROUP OF QUESTIONS AVAILABLE BUT THEY ARE FROM ABOUT FOUR PEOPLE SO SOME OF YOU MAY WANT TO ADD A QUESTION OR TWO! We can always use fresh questions.

Your turn to share:

1. Margaret asks: Does a bad review scare you away from reading a book or do you read it anyway??

2. My Question this week: Do you get a flu shot AND/OR what do you take for a cold??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books (new list of fifteen) or the new Christmas Giveaway Books. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List now.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three 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 by Friday,  February 15, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Winners of The Perfect Match, The Officer Breaks the Rule and Immortal Craving

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO WINNERS OF  

Giveaway Ended January 25, 2013. 
(I almost missed this one but was reminded by the books in the giveaway book box!)
Giveaway: The Perfect Match
2 Winners

#47 pc and #24 NA

Giveaways Ended February 8, 2013. 

ARC Giveaway: The Officer Breaks the Rule.

#90 Darlene Y

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway! Immortal Craving. 
2 Copies US Only.

#29 Mark A and #80 Lisa V

pc, NA, Darlene, Mark and Lisa Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing, and advise the publisher.  Please reply within 72 hours!
Thank you to all who entered these giveaways. 

Book Review and Giveaway Link: Showstoppers (Emily Castles Mysteries) by Helen Smith

Another quick and fun mystery.
Showstoppers (Emily Castles Mysteries)
by Helen Smith

• File Size: 182 KB
• Print Length: 48 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Tyger Books (December 5, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006ITK0AW

Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 5, 2011
"Helen Smith is a master story-teller." Socrates Book Reviews
When twenty-six-year-old Emily Castles helps out at a local stage school in London, she's soon mixed up in murder. She teams up with eccentric philosophy professor Dr. Muriel to solve the case.
Showstoppers is a fast-paced 75-page novella. Readers of M C Beaton or Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy discovering a new author in this entertaining British mystery series.
"Suspensefully created and plotted." Vine Reviewer

Review:
We met Emily and some of her neighbors in the first book, Three Sisters. Now one of the neighbors, Victoria, seeks Emily’s help to uncover a blackmailer. Victoria operates Showstoppers, a dance studio for children. Victoria was an actress in her youth and there is apparently a bit of a scandalous video  with a former beau from her college days. The man, a now famous and handsome actor, has appeared recently to enroll his daughter in the dance studio.

Victoria’s husband is some type of civil servant and there could be embarrassment from revealing the video. The VHS tape isn’t quite what you might expect and soon most of the employee’s at Showstoppers know about the tape. Emily notes a little tension between Victoria and her manager and there is a lot of crazy busyness as the year-end program takes place.

Emily is very likeable and her relationship with Dr. Muriel is developed more in this second story as they look at the clues together. Again, there are initially several suspects before the truth is, rather shockingly, revealed.  This is a fast, fun read with an extra touch of irony at the ending.

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

I enjoy the lovely descriptions that put me in the setting:

Emily followed Victoria into the lovely kitchen where the family ate most of their meals. Everything was just so, in a country-living kind of a way; there was an Aga and a conventional oven; cupboards and units painted in forget-me-not blue; French windows opening onto the garden at the back; big wooden storage boxes for the boys’ wellington boots and trainers; and something deliciously Italian-smelling (herbs and tomatoes and cheese in it or on it for sure, Emily thought) cooling in the oven.  Location 31.

Dr. Muriel makes a distinction on how to approach the suspect:

A denouncement is public and upsetting. A confrontation is by invitation only and most satisfying. Location 818.

I received this ebook for an honest review during Bookblast tour.

Tour Schedule

Three Sisters and Showstoppers by Helen Smith

Three Sisters and Showstoppers are two novella-length stories in the Emily Castles mystery series. The first full-length novel, Invitation to Die, will be published by Thomas & Mercer in October 2013.

The Emily Castles mystery series is set in present-day London. It features twenty-six-year-old Londoner Emily Castles and her neighbor, eccentric philosophy professor Dr. Muriel Crowther. In Three Sisters, Emily goes to a party in a big house at the end of her street. She's sure she witnesses a murder, but no one will believe her. She teams up with Dr. Muriel to investigate.

In Showstoppers, Emily helps out at a local stage school run by her neighbor, Victoria. Soon she's mixed up in a blackmail plot and two deaths. Emily and Dr. Muriel team up to prevent further a massacre live on stage during the end of term show.

Purchase

Showstoppers * Three Sisters

Author Helen Smith

Helen Smith is a novelist and playwright who lives in London. She's the author of bestselling cult novels Alison Wonderland, Being Light and The Miracle Inspector as well as the Emily Castles Mystery Series.

Amazon * Facebook *  Twitter * Blog

Goodreads* Shelfari * LibraryThing

Tour Giveaway

10 winners will each receive a Kindle Ebook copy of Showstoppers & Three Sisters

Ends 2/28/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Three Sisters (Emily Castles Mysteries) by Helen Smith

Great, quick mystery with irony and humor.

Three Sisters (Emily Castles Mysteries)
by Helen Smith

• File Size: 142 KB
• Print Length: 44 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Tyger Books (February 5, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004M5HK0M

Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 5, 2011
"Fast-paced, funny, and mysterious." Socrates' Book Reviews
Three Sisters introduces twenty-six-year-old amateur sleuth Emily Castles in this popular new British mystery series.
Emily has been invited to a party in the big house at the end of her street in London. How could she know, as she left her house that evening, that she was making an appointment with death?
Readers of M C Beaton or Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy discovering a new mystery author in this entertaining 70-page novella.
"Fast-paced and unusual, I highly recommend this one." Eva's Sanctuary
"It grips you from the very beginning." Books Bistro

Review:
Emily has recently gotten over the death of her elderly dog. She was there when he drew his last breath and the life went out of his eyes. Emily needs to break out of her sadness and agrees to attend a neighborhood party to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve and Guy’s Fawkes Bonfire night.

There is a troupe of entertainers who have set up in an old house down the street. Emily is intrigued by some of the ‘play acting’ that is going on. She wanders along to a room where twins are dressing while a pile of knives lays on the bed.  They are angry when they realize that a young woman, Midori, who is to be the DJ, has exited their bathroom and when they see Emily at the door.

Later in the evening Midori gets sick and has to go home. Emily is concerned about several of the ‘performers’ and feels an unease. Then she witnesses the twins in their knife throwing act when a knife ends in the chest of one of the girls. A little while later the girl appears alive but Emily is sure that she saw the life go out of her eyes just like her beloved dog. Emily seeks help from her friend Dr. Muriel and they try to puzzle out the situation as others around them claim that it was all an act. But to Emily it seemed all too real and there are certain guests she doesn't trust.

I really enjoyed the quirky and unusual characters. The mystery is different with some twists woven in a fun story. This is skillfully written with evocative descriptions. If you like cozy mysteries I think you would enjoy these quick, fun stories.

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

Emily walking in the dark:

She wanted to say to Joe that being in the dark was like being deep underwater, not being able to hear or turn round quickly enough to see the predator behind you.  Location 465.

I received this ebook for an honest review during Bookblast tour. 
PLEASE SEE THE NEXT POST FOR REVIEW OF SHOWSTOPPERS AND A GIVEAWAY LINK. Also there is a BookBlast Giveaway if you haven't already entered that. 

Tour Schedule

Saturday Snapshot (February 9, 2013) Hawaii Volcanoes

This continues the tour on our third day as we visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island of Hawaii. We did several stops on the Crater Rim Drive and then visited the volcano  views.

 The steam vents across the field are sulphurus so you only look from a distance.

This vent is safe to look at and feel the heat!

It was actually windy and cool so the lady in her short dress probably was glad for the heat.

The final stop was the Jaggar Museum with 

lots of informative displays inside and great vista views.

This is a view (Kīlauea caldera) from the back deck of the museum.

And a final view of Mauna Loa in the distance.

Both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are active volcanoes.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Audible A Perfect Blood (Hallows #10) by Kim Harrison

I really enjoy the wonderful characters and action in this series.
A Perfect Blood (Hallows #10)
by Kim Harrison
 Narrated by Marguerite Gavin
LENGTH  16 hrs and 48 mins
RELEASE DATE  02-21-12
Program Type  Audiobook
PUBLISHER  Harper Audio

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

New York Times best-selling author Kim Harrison returns to the Hollows with the electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed Pale Demon!

Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the I.S. and the FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth: a human hate group is trying to create its own demons to destroy all Inderlanders, and to do so, it needs her blood.

She's faced vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more, but humanity itself might be her toughest challenge yet.

Review:
Rachel Morgan was often in trouble as a witch but the Inderland Security, her former employer, is even more reluctant to trust her now that she is a day-walking demon. Rachel works as a private investigator enforcer with her good friends, cool and sexy vampire, Ivy, and mini-sized with the heart of a giant pixie, Jenks. She also gets help from wealthy business man and Elf, Trent and Rachel’s demon teacher, Algaliarept.

Rachel and her team have often been engaged by the human-run FIB (Federal Inderland Bureau) to assist in their cases with non humans, including vampires, witches, werewolves, demons and others. This time they are brought in to help capture a human hate group, HAPA, who wants to wipe out the Inderlanders. The group is injecting witches with rosewood blood in an effort to turn them into demons. Unfortunately the experiments have left behind hideously mutated, dead bodies.

As she often does, Rachel, rushes in without a good plan and backup. This is particularly dangerous as she is wearing a bracelet that protects her from being pulled into the Ever After but also prevents her from accessing many of her magic powers through ley line use. She eventually gets caught and caged with the latest experiment candidate.  Capturing Rachel gives the group a bonus of true demon blood and they are able to successfully turn Winona into a demon who looks like she will survive the mutations.

Rachel and Winona must escape to save themselves and to keep the group from using more of her blood. Every time it looks like the HAPA criminals are caught they slip through the net. Soon Rachel suspects that they are getting inside information.

Ms. Harrison does a good job covering the backstory and characters so someone new to the series could jump in, although they would miss all the good action and Rachel mishaps from prior books. Not to mention a new reader would miss her failed romances and the nuances of her relationship with Trent and several of the other characters.  I enjoy the action in this series even with Rachel’s misadventures and tendency to rush into trouble. I like the friendship with David, her werepack 'leader', and I love Jenks and his vibrant vitality and love. I am very curious to see what's in store for Rachel as she faces the dangers in the next book and as she continues to try to resist her feelings for Trent.

Audio Notes: Ms. Gavin does a fabulous job distinguishing the characters. She is able to get a snarky, Pixie voice for Jenks and a deep, slow voice for the gargoyle, Biz. She inflects the nervousness of Nina the new vampire as well as the arrogance when she is possessed by Felix, the old vampire. Ms. Gavin adds intensity and mood, fear and weariness, with her excellent reading. I have listened to all the books in this series and I do enjoy the voices!

This title was in my Audible Library and I pulled it to read as a TBR.

Martha's Bookshelf***Firday Pick February 8, 2013

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Happy Friday! Hi everyone. I hope you have all had a good week. ***I'm sorry I have bad news for the international entrants -- I have to ask you to stick with GCs as the new postage rates have almost doubled. What might have been a $6.25 mail out is now close to $12.00.

Thank you to all who entered the February 1 Pick. There were still no automatic winners this week and there are six hopeful 3s for next week! (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There were three titles blocked this week.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 1 Pick:

Abby gets a GC.

Tore wins Sleeping Alone

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

Happy Valentines!
Image found at Trinity Literary Society.

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 

Pairs
Beverly Barton:
    Downright Dangerous and What She Doesn't Know
Heather Graham Pozzessere
    Renegades (Western Anthology) and Everytime I Love You (The spine is creased.)
Mary Baxter
    His Touch and One Summer Evening

Singles-- I found a couple of boxes of romances (a lot of Harlequins) that I haven't gotten to read over the past 8 years so... I will send them off to others to read!
Flashpoint by Linda Barnes
Across a Thousand Miles by Nadia Nichols
Lady Beware by Fayrene Preston
Secrets of the Outback by Margaret Way
Never Say Never Again by Tori Carrington
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland
*Married to His Business by Elizabeth Bevarly
*The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham
*Chance Adventure by Kelly Eileen Hake
* The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston


New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Pairs:
Fern Michaels
    Payback and Full Me Once
Luanne Rice
    Silver Bells (spine wear) and True Blue
Janet Evanovich
    Full Tilt and Full Bloom
Singles:
Captain's Woman by Merline Lovelace (This is a favorite author and book of mine)
*Death in High Heels by Christina Brand
*Mrs Mallory and the Silent Killer by Hazel Holt


New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

PAIRS:
Dick Francis:
     10 LB Penalty and Risk
Tom Clancy:
     Op-Center State of Siege and Op-Center Mission of Honor
SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
The Gift by Constance O'Day-Flannery
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
Twice Upon Time by Nina Beaumont
Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer
Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson


New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
Beautiful Dreamer by Elizabeth Lowell

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes
*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012 (All gone)
Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts
Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011
Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes
*Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 2012)

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 471 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Looking Back by Belva Plain

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10---(All Gone)