It's Monday What are You Reading? November 4, 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.

Last week I was pushing to get work complete before my surgery. It wasn't overtly stressful but anytime you have surgery there is some stress. The surgeon was confident they removed the cancerous lump and the lymph node appeared clear so I was pleased with that news. 
Reading was good - with a little bit of extra recovery hours.  I finished for books and managed to post four reviews as I had hoped.  There were two Tour Features with Giveaways.
I also posted the regular weekly memes and posts: Mailbox Monday, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I only did a little visiting last week and have to find time to do more.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts plus win post:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 28, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday 10/28/13.

• Book Review: No Escape by Mary Burton, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.

• Author Interview and Giveaway: No Escape by Mary Burton. US or Canada. Ends 11/8.
  

• Book Review: Accidentally In Love With...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25. 

• Author Letter and Giveaway: Accidentally In Love With...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff. Open worldwide: Print US; Digital for international; Ends 11/15.
  

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 1, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/7.

• Audio Book Review: Battle for L.A. by CJ Henderson, Mark Sparacio, Pulp Fiction; my rating 4.0. 

• Saturday Snapshot November 2, 2013 Flowers for Recovery.

• Audible Book Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead, Book 3, by Darynda Jones, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense ; my rating 4.25. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #124 Comment Giveaway 11/2/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/8.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 3, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Accidentally In Love With...A God? 
(Accidentally Yours)
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 
This was fun; Review and Giveaway post is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Lace & Lead, a novella
by M.A. Grant
I enjoyed this action-packed, fast read.
I'll post a review later this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3

Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery
by Jim Bernheimer
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer
This was different and I liked it. I'll post the review this coming week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle

I'll Be Home For Christmas
by Jessica Scott 
I am participating in a Hachette Release Blitz 
for this book on 11/5.
I decided to squeeze it in for review and I'm glad I did.
Check for review and Giveaways on Tuesday.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
There's nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.

As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.

Line Edits/Releases:
Two ebooks released this past week:
New poetry collection: Shades of Darkness and Light.
Fantasy Thriller:  A Ghost Hunt by Jack Horne.


Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link: Coming Home by Joy Brooks; part of Anthology set: Spring Historicals - Sweethearts in Bloom. New Book to go up mid week.

Currently reading:
1. Print

The Last Christian: A Novel
by David Gregory
I am not quite halfway in this interesting book.
This is our Ladies' Book Club selection for November 9.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Jagged
by Kristen Ashley
This is another Hachette Release Blitz
for Tuesday, November 5, 2013.
I didn't think I'd have time to finish for review but after I finished the Christmas title 
I thought I could at least start this.
Whew - not sure I was prepared for two emotional books in a row 
but I was quickly drawn into this story too.
Look for the Blitz with info and Rafflecopter Giveaway on Tuesday and the review later this week or early next week.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
The next novel in Kristen Ashley's sizzling Colorado Mountain series introduces a new electrifying relationship that turns Carnal, Colorado into a hotbed of action, romance, and suspense.

An old flame rekindled . . .
Zara Cinders always knew Ham Reece was the one, but he wasn't interested in settling down. When she found someone who was, Ham walked out of her life. Three years later, Zara's lost her business, her marriage, and she's barely getting by in a tiny apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. As soon as Ham hears about Zara's plight, he's on her doorstep offering her a lifeline. Now, it will take every ounce of will power she possesses to resist all that he offers.

Ham was always a traveling man, never one to settle down in one town, with one woman, for more time than absolutely necessary. But Ham's faced his own demons, and he's learned a lot. About himself, and about the life he knows he's meant to live. So when he hears that Zara's having a rough time, he wants to be the one to help. In fact, he wants to do more than that for Zara. A lot more. But first, he must prove to Zara that he's a changed man.

3. Audible/MP3

Iron Gray Sea: Destroyermen, Book 7
    by Taylor Anderson
    Narrated by William Dufris
        Series: Destroyermen, Book 7
My next review audio is only an hour or so long. Since I have enough reviews to fill this coming week I decided to listen to one of my series TBRs before the next audio.
Publisher's Summary
In Taylor Anderson's acclaimed Destroyermen series, a parallel universe adds an extraordinary layer to the drama of World War II. Now, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, the crew of the USS Walker, and their allies battle an ever-growing host of enemies across the globe in a desperate battle for freedom.

War has engulfed the other earth. With every hard-won victory and painful defeat, Matt Reddy and the Allies encounter more friends-and even more diabolical enemies. Even, at last, in the arms of the woman he loves, there is little peace for Reddy. The vast sea, and the scope of the conflict, have trapped him too far away to help on either front, but that doesn't mean he and Walker can rest. Cutting short his "honeymoon," Reddy sails off in pursuit of Hidoiame, a rogue Japanese destroyer that is wreaking havoc in Allied seas. Now that Walker is armed with the latest "new" technology, he hopes his battle-tested four-stacker has an even chance in a straight-up fight against the bigger ship - and he means to take her on.

Elsewhere, the long-awaited invasion of Grik "Indiaa" has begun, and the Human-Lemurian Alliance is pushing back against the twisted might of the Dominion. The diplomatic waters seethe with treachery and a final, terrible plot explodes in the Empire of New Britain Isles. Worse, the savage Grik have also mastered "new" technologies and strategies. Their fleet of monstrous ironclads - and an army two years in the making-are finally massing to strike.
©2012 Taylor Anderson (P)2012 Tantor

4. eBook/Kindle

Realm Walker
by Kathleen Collins
After several emotional contemporaries
I think I'll be ready for a Sci Fi & Fantasy romance.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 28, 2013
An estranged mate, a mangled body and a powerful demon who calls her by name…

As a Realm Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying dead. That's only the first of her secrets.

Most people don't know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don't know the horrors she endured at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don't know her true parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal interest in her…

Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can't reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.

I am really lagging but still listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.] I have been remiss and not keeping up with daily reading with my DH.

Line Edits: I am working on poetry formatting this week.

I want to keep enjoying adding stories from my own TBR. :-)
I'm still reading for reviews to post the following week which is working ok. I only have 10 titles set for November and have finished one and am well into two more. 

November Scheduled

11/4 November Kindle Fire Giveaway
11/5 Blitz and Giveaway Jagged
11/5 Blitz, Review and Giveaway I’ll be Home for Christmas
11/9 Ladies Book Club - Review and Giveaway The Last Christian
11/19 BookBlast Tour Review: Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden
11/20 Review and Giveaway: I Accidentally Marred a Vampire

Sourcebooks:
   Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell (Print)
   To Have and to Hold by Leigh Greenwood (print)

NetGalley:
    Realm Walker by Kathleen Collins

Authors:
   Unfinished Business by Carolyn R. Aspenson

AudioBook Jukebox 
   Five Million Dollar Cat: A Novella by Laura Lond

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 3, 2013

It surprises me that we only have two months, nine Sundays, left for this year. We have over nine songs we are preparing for our Christmas program and the season. I hope to be able to find many of them online to share over the next weeks. Plus this is the time of year I more closely focus on giving Thanks and remembering God who gave me life so that I can give thanks!

This morning I listened to a Sisters 2 Sisters presentation that I missed a few weeks ago. It was very emotional, strong, lovely and enough for three or four messages! This morning I tuned in to the message of God’s Omnipotent Pronouncements shared about one man but fitting any of us:

'You are God’s child.  You belong to somebody, someone loves you, and someone cares about you.'

It is wonderful to know that God loves me and cares about my health. I can trust Him to be there for me no matter what happens in my live. I had calm through my surgery as I know that He holds my hand.

I found this song to share today.
Healing is In Your Hands

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 58:8 NKJV 
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

I am thankful today that I am God's child. And I am especially thankful for his Healing Touch. I may face illness but He will see me through as He wills. I trust Him. We don’t trust someone we don’t know. We learn to trust someone by having a relationship not just beyond, but through, fellowship with Him. I am thankful too to have a God who not only allows but wants a personal relationship with me!

Sharing Beyond Books #124 Comment Giveaway 11/2/13

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

Hi folks. I am glad to be feeling up to posting today. If you saw a few of my posts the end of this week you saw that I had surgery on Thursday and am taking it easy as I recover.  I hope everyone else is doing wonderfully as we enter the last two months of this year!

It was fun to see all the different wins that everyone listed. There were four of us that won ereaders. Many won gift cards and there were some who won boxes or sets of books. It was nice too that some won specially autographed or doodled copies!

There was a good mix of favorite candy choices, including a couple of candy corn which I associate with Halloween. The biggest choice of course was a variety of chocolates. :-)

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #123 comments is: #20 Texas Book Lover (I think you've had a winning week!) who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #124

Q1. Abby (Nikki) asks: Do you have a beauty routine??

A: Yes I do have a beauty routine. I guess the question is which part of the routine? The basic morning shower, washing hair and face make-up takes 45 minutes. If I don't have to wash my hair I can get ready in 30 minutes. There is a different routine for evening regiment which is a bit sporadic.  

(This image was so strange it caught my eye.)
Image found at Beautify and Creatify.

Q2. My bookish Question this week: to follow up last week's contest question - my Q is: Have you ever kept a record of your wins??

A: Before I started the blog I entered a lot of contests. I would keep a spread sheet so I would remember to enter certain places each week or month and to check winners. I also kept a spread sheet. Between 2008 and 2009 I won over 200 books or gift cards. That was so remarkable! That is one reason I am happy to pass on the blessings.

 Image found at Facebook Contest listings.

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 are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Abby (Nikki) asks: Do you have a beauty routine??

Q2. My bookish Question this week: to follow up last week's contest question - my Q is: Have you ever kept a record of your wins??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

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 by Friday, November 8, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

The beginning of this was a little too focused on sensual aspects for my tastes, but the second half was non-stop fun listen.

Third Grave Dead Ahead
by Darynda Jones
    
Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 3
    LENGTH    9 hrs and 51 mins
    RELEASE DATE    01-31-12
    PUBLISHER    Macmillan Audio

Genre: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Third in the award-winning paranormal series that’s “hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising.” (J.R. Ward)

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back in Darynda Jones' Third Grave Dead Ahead! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the parthuman, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hellbent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?

Review:
This is the third Charley Davidson book continuing her misadventures as the Grim Reaper and a private eye. This third story actually has three investigations although two are primary and one is on the periphery.

The first case involves finding a missing wife. Although the supposedly concerned husband brings the case to her, Charley doesn’t actually accept the case on his behalf since she believes the husband is responsible for the disappearance. Charley starts looking for the missing lady and then accepts the case on behalf of the woman’s angry brother, who has been brought in by the other worried, and ill, sister. Charley’s investigation leads her to determine the husband is a control freak who most likely got away with killing his first wife. She is determined to find the wife before she turns up as a ghost.

The second matter tying up Charley’s time is the most dangerous. Her dream lover, Reyes, the son of Satan, escapes prison and kidnaps Charley. He wants her aid to find the step-father he was convicted of killing but now believes to be alive. Charley soon discovers a trail of dead, and dying witnesses, as she courts danger in the investigation. The cops are tailing her, either to keep  Reyes from making contact or to protect her. Having the cop tales isn’t likely to protect her since she tends to evade them, even Garrett, the skip tracer who has learned her secrets and has appointed himself as a protector.

The third investigation involves the biker gang that occupy the abandoned building that Charley sneaks into to talk to her crazy friend Rocket. Rocket is always busy cataloguing deaths by writing the names on the walls. Charley can usually rely on him to let her know when someone she is looking for is dead or still alive. Charley always had to sneak into the building as she wanted to avoid the biker gang and their large guard dogs. Turns out they knew about her and they want her to help find the person who is poisoning their dogs.

An interesting line in this story is a prediction that Charley would be the cause of a death that would result in a new protector for her. Charley is distressed to think she is the cause of deaths around her and she is concerned who this latest victim might be.

I didn’t enjoy the beginning of this book as it seemed too focused on the sexual aspects between Charley and Reyes. However after a bit the story shifts to the craziness of the investigations and I enjoyed the snarkiness that is Charley’s trademark.  Darynda Jones does a wonderful job of surprising the reader with last minute twists in the plotlines. I am looking forward to book four and more adventures and snark!

Audio Notes: It still surprises me how good a job Lorelei King does with the characters, nailing their accents and characters. She makes it a joy to listen to this series.

This was a selection from my own Audible Library.

Saturday Snapshot November 2, 2013 Flowers for Recovery

I didn't get to reply last week that the rose was for no special occassion. My DH is like that and has given me flowers on many 'non-occassions' through our marriage. 

I was thinking I wouldn't post this morning but I awoke early since I spent a good part of the last two days sleeping.  

This week I spent a couple hours on Monday making plant creations 

with my daughter and the Woman's Club.

Heather snapped a photo of the two of us:

Needless to say my surgery this week was great concern for my family.
DH and Heather were more upset than I was. 
I had expected another fibrous cyst and not invasive ductal carcinoma 
so I wasn't happy with the diagnosis. 
Plus the mammogram reported a spot in the lymph nodes they were concerned about.
However, I was relying on the Grace of God to have the lymph nodes clear.
The surgery took all day Thursday (mostly waiting, not in OR) and the results were good -
the tumor removed and the lymph node clear!
Heather sent this for me on Friday:

She sure didn't have to send me flowers

 and I feel badly for the worry she felt. 

But these flowers are clearly for an occasion as we celebrate the clear report.

[Oops - forgot to change this sentence.] I didn't get to visit much last week as I was trying to complete work and line up things before the surgery. I hope to visit a bit today between napping..

A big Thank You to Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility.


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 being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. 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.

Audio Book Review: Battle for L.A. by CJ Henderson and Mark Sparacio

This is an action, comic story in audio.
Battle for LA
Author: CJ Henderson, Mark Sparacio
Narrator: Full Cast
Publisher: AudioComics 
Length approximately 42 minutes

Genre: Pulp Fiction, Dramatization
My Rating:4.0 of 5.0

In the early morning hours of February 25, 1945, US anti-aircraft shore artillery opened fire on an unidentified object in the skies above Los Angeles, California. Over the course of the next three hours, “swarms of planes” were reported as roaming the skies above the city of angels, though in the end the only actual damage was the result of traffic accidents, friendly fire from the attack, and in some cases, heart attacks caused by stress.

The public was later told that there the attack was a false alarm. Moonstone Books, however, has unearthed the government documents that show the real truth…and how some of the greatest heroes in pulp history fought back against the “event”…

Battle for LA is AudioComics’ second collaboration with Moonstone Entertainment, Inc., adapted from the illustrated novella by CJ Henderson and Mark Sparacio, and starring pulp heroes The Black Bat, Domino Lady, Secret Agent X, and The Phantom Detective, and classic comic character Airboy. America’s pulp and comic avengers pit their wits (and guns) against a menace from another world in a story actually inspired by true events!

Review:
This is a fun listen and perfect for readers who like comics and action. The pulp heroes date from the 1930s. I had heard of The Phantom Detective and Airboy but the others were new to me. The story is set in 1945 and shares the adventure of The Phantom Detective and Secret Agent X, with the help of the others, as they hunt down and battle a private mogul who is threatening to use an other worldly device. The heroes goal is to eliminate the terrifying, but mystifying, device that would wipe out the population.

The story is full of sharp, comic dialogue, fast paced action and fitting sound effects. I also enjoyed the underlying spy nature of the characters and the machinations in the time setting of 1945. I wouldn’t want a steady diet of this genre but it was fun for a quick listen!

Audio Notes: I enjoy the give and take of dramatization with numerous characters. There was background music and sound effects that at time were too loud and made me strain to follow the conversation. That would cause difficulties for those who have difficulty hearing dialogue, like my DH.

I received this comic audio from the Publisher through AudioBook Jukebox.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 1, 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 Friends!!  Sorry to be late today but I have a good-- well make that a valid excuse. You know - the doctor kind.  I had to have a lumpectomy yesterday. The good news is that the

lymph node was clear - PTL! So it was a long day at the hospital and I pretty much crashed last night before time to pick winners. The good news this morning is that I am not having too much pain from the incisions (yet). The bad news is I am having quite a bit of pain from my lower back. The good news is I have pain meds; the bad news is they made me nauseous. I expect I will be sleeping a lot today and over the weekend. This may put me behind on posting reviews. We'll see how I feel in between naps.

Please see new book Group below. :-)

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the October 25 Pick. There were no Automatic wins this week. (One request was 4th week but there had been a block in week 1). (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 only two titles blocked this week but they are multiple blocks- 3 each!

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 25 Pick:
I picked three this week for two reasons - 1) I wanted to give a book to someone and 2) November is the anniversary month for Friday Picks so I will be choosing extra winners all month! :-)

Louisa chose a book but it will be over $8.00 for mailing 
so she will get a GC

Marjorie gets a GC
Carol NW gets Dead Silence  

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. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Books are the ONLY drug I really want! :-)

Image found at Amazon. 

I think I'll buy a couple of these for gifts!!

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013
Group 11/1/2013
Pairs
Mary Higgins Clark
     Before I Say Good-bye and Where Are the Children>
Suzanne Enoch
     Lessons in Love The Rake and Sin and Sensibility
Diana Palmer (Choose any two)
    Lawless, Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan and Brides to Be (spine creased)
Kate Wilhelm
     Desperate Measures and No Defense
SINGLES:
Never Tell by Karen Young (spine torn)
Father for Keeps by Ana Seymour
Crimson Rain by Meg O’Brien
Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler
Cutwork by Monica Ferris
A Woman Named Damaris by Janette Oke

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013

Pairs:
Susan Spencer Paul
     Beguiled and The Bride's Portion
Singles:
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Portrait of Dreams by Victoria Malvey
No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long
Deceptions & Dreams by Debra Deir (spine creases)
Wet & Wild by Sandra Hill
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Something Extra by Janet Dailey
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Dead Silence by Brenda Novak
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by Sharyn McCrumb

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
Wicked and Wonderful by Valerie King
Tabitha in Moonlight by Betty Neels
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Caught in a Bind by Gayle Roper
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
      (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Dance With Me by Luanne Rice
A Mother's Day Anthology - three stories
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone
Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Singles:
Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Sheer Dynamite by Jennifer Skully
Golden Chances by Rebbecca Hagen Lee
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Singles:
Timeline by Michael Crichton
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 
Pairs
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!
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

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

SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*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

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)

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 (postage too much - replaced with GC)

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)

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

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

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

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


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! (as of 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 580+ books (I forgot to update this number for a month) 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 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 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
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

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

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Letter from Mimi Jean Pamfiloff with Excerpt and Giveaway

Votan, God of Death and War Gets a Makeover
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

That’s right. The God of Death and War is getting a sexy makeover. Why does he need one? Good question. He doesn’t! But what if you had the chance to waive a magic wand and make your dream man just a smidgeon dreamier, a tad more sizzling, and a hair more alpha-manlier?  Would you do it?  Why the hell not! That would be like saying no to those chocolate sprinkles on that sundae.

And hey, and let’s be honest, Votan was my first creation in the Accidentally Yours series. He’s original awesomeness—overbearing, hotter than an apple pie fresh from the oven, and nearly indestructible at seven feet. He’s super concentrated divine masculinity. But he did have one small handicap: me!

ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH…A GOD? was only the second novel I’d ever written (and my first if you count that the story is an adaptation of that initial stab at writing). Since its Indie debut in Jan. 2012, I’ve written several more, taking feedback from readers and writers along the way to improve. These final installments of the series (under Grand Central Publishing) had the added benefit of a fabulous editor, Latoya Smith. (Mimi! Get to the point!)
 
Getting there!

Point is, you’re never too old to change!  After about 100K e-copies sold, it was time for Votan (and Emma) to get a little professional makeover! (Insert applause for Latoya here.)

Yes, it’s still the same, quirky, crazy story, but I hope the readers will find Votan and Emma a little bit steamier. (I added an extra yummy scene!) Emma also got a tiny makeover (just as snarky as before, but less whiny). And Tommaso, well, he’s still the same sexy bad boy who confuses us.

I hope everyone enjoys that New & Improved, Mass Market paperback. My 1stever!!! (Insert image of Mimi disco dancing wildly next to Cimil here.)  For those who’ve got the ebook, I understand you’ll have the opportunity to also enjoy this revised edition.

HAPPY READING ALL!
Mimi

Learn more about Mimi here:

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Excerpt from Accidentally in Love With…A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (10/29)

     With his golden face beaming, the man smiled as he stroked my sopping wet hair and cradled me against his warm, smooth chest. “I love this dream,” I said with a breathy voice, then stretched my arms above my head, gazing happily into the most striking set of luminescent, turquoise green eyes I’d ever seen.

     To boot, they belonged to a breathtaking, masculine face, a face one would expect to see on the cover of a magazine named something like, I’m Way Too Hot To Be Your Man, or In Your Dreams, Honey.

     Oh, yeah. Without a doubt, I’d topped myself this time. Sculpted cheekbones, thick dark lashes, chiseled jaw, and lips so full they had to be meant for kissing or eating something really juicy. He was way hotter than the specimen of perfection from my last dream, and bonus, he didn’t have that scary vibe. I reached up and ran my fingertip along the ridge of his hard-lined warrior nose.

    “Emma, what in the name of the gods’ creation are you doing?” he scorned. “We really don’t have time for your immature little fantasies. We’re in the middle of a crisis. Do you not remember?”

     I blinked and slowly moved my eyes from side to side.

     Jungle? I was in the jungle. And my clothes were wet. Come to think of it, for a dream, I didn’t feel so hot. My lungs burned, my body felt like it’d been chewed up, and my head was throbbing. So aside from the perfect man with long, damp, wavy black hair holding me in his arms, none of this felt like a dream. It felt—

     “Holy Mother!” I pushed myself away and rolled into the dirt, pointing in disbelief. “Wha—you—you—?”

     “Ah…so eloquent as always, my sweet. It is astounding—you actually have a college degree, yet cannot find better words.” He pushed himself up off the ground.

     As he rose, my heart stopped, started, and then went into overdrive. His legs and spine straightened into a towering mass of unforgiving muscles. With shoulders like a lumberjack and thick, powerful thighs, I didn’t know if I wanted to run away or climb him like a tree. He was utterly enormous. Jolly Green Giant enormous. Except, obviously, not green. More golden brown. He was a gorgeous, towering mass of golden brown perfection.

     No. Definitely not a cave-dwelling, wart-infested troll. Great. Just great. Now I knew I wasn’t crazy—Guy was definitely real—but now I also knew I was in way over my head. He was gorgeous.

     I stood in awe, my mouth gaping as my eyes attempted to register every rope of muscle, every capacious curve packed with power. Christ, he had to be at least seven feet tall.

     “Six nine, actually,” he said, guessing my thoughts.

     “This can’t be possible,” I whispered, my eyes continuing to dart up and down the length of his body, stopping right on dark trail of hair that started just below his navel and continued down, down, down to his enormous beast of a—“Oh! You’re naked.” I turned sharply, but only to stop myself from reaching out to touch it. No man could be that…that…endowed. Wow. “This can’t be happening.” I covered my face.

     “Emma,” he moved behind me, placing his powerful hands on my shoulders. A jolt shivered its way through my body.

     I was wrong about the vibe. Way wrong. This man, or whatever he was, radiated hazard. He should come equipped with a set of blinking lights or flares. He was—“Bad. Very, very, bad,” I mumbled, pinching the bridge of my nose.

     And pathetically, after everything that had happened, all I could think about was this naked, hard-bodied, glorious “man” who’d just permanently seared his image inside the storage compartments of my female DNA. All men, from this day forward, would have to survive a mental side-by-side comparison against him. They’d all lose.

     Then a part of my brain, which was now marinating in a pool of whatever hormonal overload he’d triggered, was trying to tell me something important. It wasn’t ready to capitulate and hand over the keys to the Emma kingdom.

     Ah…there it is. “Don’t touch me!” I swiveled sharply, pushing his hands from my body, pointing one angry finger in his face. “I asked you for one simple thing! One!”

     The corners of his delicious lips curled as he arrogantly flipped his dark, wet hair over his bronzed shoulder. “Exactly. You asked.” He took one bold step forward, well within my personal-space bubble. Clearly, he was trying to intimidate me with his endless ripples and naked body. How sad. It was totally working, which made me even madder.

     He bent down to meet my glare, his nose inches from mine. “But I didn’t agree. Did I? In fact, my exact words were, ‘I. Will. Not. Promise.’ Sharp emphasis given on the not, little girl.”

     He so had this coming. I lifted my knee, thrusting squarely in his groin. The almost-seven-foot brawny male fell to his knees cupping himself.

     “I am not a little girl. Emphasis on the not…

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for TWO COPIES from Hachette:
PEN WORLDWIDE: Print for US or digital for Canada or International

* This contest is open worldwide - Print to US or digital to international.
* This contest will close midnight on November 15, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries by Rafflecopter.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after November 15, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Accidentally In Love With...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Fast paced - a little crazy but a fun read.

Accidentally In Love With...A God? 
(Accidentally Yours)
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

• File Size: 1217 KB
• Print Length: 405 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455546925
• Publisher: Forever (March 5, 2013)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00BHHHQMU

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Trapped for decades, a powerful god seeks freedom . . . and revenge. But the only thing that can save him is the passion of a woman's touch . . . 

Emma Keane is your average city girl trying to get a date. There's just one thing holding her back: the disembodied male voice speaking to her through her mind. Sound kind of crazy? Maybe. But crazy turns downright deadly when the voice persuades her to travel to the wilds of the Mayan jungle. There she will free his body-his incredibly hot, muscled, naked body.

Humans are so frail, so undisciplined, so susceptible to love. And when this ancient being connects with Emma, the feelings she sparks drive him utterly mad. Protective, keep-her-close, never-let-her-go kind of mad. Which might not be such a bad thing because from the moment the beautiful, passionate Emma unshackles his body, they are hunted at every turn. Now he'll have to do everything in his power to keep her safe. But will it be enough?

Review:
Emma Keane is a young woman who would love to start some intimate dating. Problem is that she has trouble ignoring the very sexy male voice that speaks through her mind...especially when he tells her all the reasons not to encourage a guy. And darned if “Guy” in her head hasn’t been right such as warning her away from that handsome fellow who turned out to be a serial killer! Still he is an annoying distraction and needs to go.

It is really hard dealing with this man-voice, “Guy” as she has dubbed him, who was a friend when she was a child and an irritant as she has grown older. “Guy” convinces Emma that the only way to get rid of him is to travel to Mexico and free him where he has been trapped in a Mayan jungle. She agrees to the crazy idea with promises of explanations of how he was trapped and how he can talk to her.

Although Emma manages to free Guy, he isn’t too good about providing explanations. Other than learning that he is a gorgeous god – not The God but still ‘a god’ and isn’t that just wild? – she has learned little other than that he is irritatingly arrogant. Getting any more information out of him is frustrating so she begins to rely on others around her like the body guard assigned to protect her, Tommaso.

Guy has a special bond to Emma and has sworn to keep her safe, even from herself. He is entranced by her but knows that gods can’t mix with humans. He should let her go to live a free life but he can’t do that until he knows that she is safe... and even then... he doesn’t really want to let her go. And seeing her show interest in another man, especially Tommaso, is raising all sorts of ire for the god of death and war!

Emma can be a bit ditzy and irrational. I can excuse some of that on the confusion of having a man talking in your head most of your life. The mixed messages from Guy - sexy hot one minute and coldly indifferent the next - add to Emma’s unsteady emotions. There is danger posed by horrible, black, scabby, evil priests and an unknown god who seeks Emma for his own evil purposes. Not to mention a traitor in Guy’s secret, special guards.

There was a bit of sexual innuendo that I could skip and once or twice the shift from first person (Emma) to third (Guy’s chapters) was distracting. In spite of getting a bit frustrated with the on again, off again feelings and Emma’s tendency to rash emotions, I did enjoy this is fun, fast paced read.

I received this title from Hachette, through NetGalley, for an honest review, Blitz and Giveaway -- See next post!

About Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Before taking up a permanent residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mimi spent time living near NYC (became a shopaholic), in Mexico City (developed a taste for very spicy food), and Arizona (now hates jumping chollas, but pines for sherbet sunsets). Her love of pre-Hispanic culture, big cities, and romance inspires her to write when she's not busy with kids, hubby, work, and life...or getting sucked into a juicy novel.

She hopes that someday leather pants for men will make a big comeback and that her writing might make you laugh when you need it most.

Learn more about Mimi here:

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Buy Links for ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH…A GOD?

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IndieBound

Author Interview with Giveaway: Mary Burton Author of No Escape

MEET MARY BURTON...

       Mary Burton enjoys the hunt. This New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist, whose work has been compared to that of Steig Larson*, Lisa Gardner**, and Lisa Jackson***, has been intrigued by investigative work and the people who do it since Virginia, her home state, was stung by a string of serial killings that spanned more than twenty years. Not surprisingly, many of her suspense novels are fueled by the acts of multiple killers and the people who pursue them, as is NO ESCAPE, Mary's latest novel and the second in a trio of stories set in and around Austin. There she calls upon the people and resources of the state's lead investigative team, the Texas Rangers.

       NO ESCAPE's predecessor, THE SEVENTH VICTIM quickly became a USA Today bestseller. It was praised by reviewers, including Publishers Weekly, which says it "delivers action-packed suspense" and calls it "compelling.” Suspense Magazine hailed it as “an excellent thriller” and a “saga that readers will find unbelievably hard to put down.”
      Mary's admiration for the work of law enforcement and the skills, insights and tools necessary to do it, is evident even in her earliest forays into suspense, such as In Dark Waters, in which a romance evolves when the Sheriff's office is called upon to solve a murder in rural Virginia. Future plots explored arson investigation, flaws within a witness protection program, and the reopening of a cold case.
       Beginning with her novel I'm Watching You, Mary started connecting several cases and characters within the same department or agency. For I'm Watching You she invented a homicide unit for her hometown of Richmond, defined its strengths, weaknesses and resources, and kept those characters and elements in place through two additional stand-alone, but related, books, Dead Ringer and Dying Scream.
       The three-book arc provided numerous creative options, especially as regards character development. This larger canvas allowed her to incorporate more of the forensic and procedural detail that fascinates her and her readers, and created new opportunities to explore dynamics unique to investigators working together over time.
       Her other "connected" novels are Senseless, Merciless and Before She Dies, all set in Alexandria, and THE SEVENTH VICTIM, NO ESCAPE and YOU'RE NOT SAFE, which is being published in April 2014.
       Mary's research has led her to interview a wide range of law enforcement personnel, to attend forensic seminars and to handle weaponry at the firing range. She is a graduate of the Henrico County Citizens Police Academy and the Richmond FBI Citizen's Academy, and has attended Sisters in Crime's Forensic University program and the Writers Police Academy in Jamestown, North Carolina, where the focus was on undercover work, autopsies, and the theories behind why people kill.
       Despite her emphasis on hard facts related to the crimes she writes about, Mary's approach to each new novel is psychological. She backs away from details, whether it's forensic research or a plot point she's already fixating upon. To begin her story she needs answers to three questions about her killers: why do they kill, what demons drive them, and how do they choose their victims. The answers are critical to her plot, she says, just as they are for detectives solving a murder.
       A Richmond native whose family roots run as deep as the nation's, Mary has lived there for most of her life. She graduated from Virginia's Hollins University and worked in marketing before deciding to write full time. Her first manuscript, a historical romance, was published in 2000.
       Mary wrote several more romance novels and three novellas before embracing the dark world of suspense. She even managed to bring danger to her holiday novella, Christmas Past, which appears in the New York Times bestselling holiday anthology Silver Bells.
       The author of twenty published novels and four novellas, Mary is a member of Thriller Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, for which she is president of the Central Virginia chapter. She travels frequently for signings, speaking engagements and other appearances. She is a frequent speaker at conferences, book festivals, book stores and libraries regarding writing and genre fiction, and is frequently asked to present her "Unraveling Romantic Suspense" workshop or her day-long program "Writing Your Book...The First Step."
       An avid baker and an accomplished cook, Mary's discovered that the creativity of the kitchen entwines with her professional routine in unanticipated ways. It’s her ideal retreat when the writing hits a rough spot. Once there, she's working out dialogue, untangling plot lines and figuring out how to trap a killer before the oven has a chance to preheat.
       When not committing murder, Mary pursues her Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate at the University of Richmond's Culinary Arts Program, and continues her involvement and appearances on behalf of Coordinators2inc, a lifetime adoption resource organization. She and her husband spend time alternately enjoying and lamenting their newly empty nest and spoiling their miniature dachshunds Buddy and Bella.
       Mary is currently at work on her next novel, set in Nashville, and anticipating the November publication of her new Union Street Bakery novel, Sweet Expectations, written as Mary Ellen Taylor.

*Publishers Weekly, **Library Journal, ***Library Journal

www.maryburton.com    http://www.facebook.com/maryburtonfanpage   www.kensingtonbooks.com

NO ESCAPE by Mary Burton

Zebra Books/Mass Market Original/Fiction

November 2013/On Sale 10-29-13/$7.99 ($8.99 Canada)

978-1-4201-2506-1

I was pleased to ask Ms. Burton a few more questions about her writing:

Q1. What inspires you to write the different genres you write– Romantic Suspense, Historical Fiction and Women’s Fiction? Do you have plans to write in any other genres?

MB:  I love to write and sometimes a story just fits into a certain genre.  Some are fast-paced mystery/thrillers and others are more introspective and emotional. If a story really excites me I’ll find a way to write it.

Q2. Is there a big transition in your writing style from one genre to another?

MB:  There is a huge difference between my suspense and my women’s fiction stories. The suspense novels are written as edgy page turners and have some real dark moments. The women’s fiction novels are a little slower paced and I can take more time to explore emotions.

Q3. Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?

MB:  They haunt me. I’m always thinking about the next story and, as they take form, the characters seem to get louder and louder. I know that sounds a little crazy but I think most writers will tell you that their characters are constantly tapping them on the shoulder and shouting for attention.

Q4. What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

MB:  Write every day. When you write every day your skills really sharpen and you don’t lose the thread of your story. When I take long breaks I lose the habit of writing so I’ve learned to keep the breaks short.

Q5. What is the single most important thing you've learned about managing your career?

MB:  Be a professional. Write the best stories you can but be mindful of your deadlines and be kind and polite to the folks you meet along the way.

Q6. What is the craziest thing you've done to research a story idea?

MB:  I attended a shallow grave seminar at the Writers’ Police Academy. It was a fascinating afternoon and it inspired NO ESCAPE.

Q7. What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

MB:  I want to pull them out of real life and take them on a great ride. My hope is that the story keeps them up way past their bedtime and maybe they forget to cook dinner or switch the laundry along the way.

I have to say that Ms. Burton succeeded in her goal by pulling me into NO ESCAPE!

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Print Copy from the publicist:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Comment on the Author's bio or Interview.

For additional 3 Extra bonus entries, Comment on the Review Post. 

* This contest is open to those with US or Canada address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 8, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after November 8, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: No Escape by Mary Burton

This has all the elements I love in a romantic suspense: lots of action and suspense with good romantic tension.
No Escape (Texas Rangers)
Mary Burton

• File Size: 1316 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1420125060
• Publisher: Zebra Books (October 29, 2013)
• ASIN: B00DV1ISQI

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
He Was Taught How To Kill
Even behind bars, serial killer Harvey Day Smith exudes menace. Psychologist Jolene Granger has agreed to hear his dying confession, vowing not to let the monster inside her head. And Harvey has secrets to share—about bodies that were never found, and about the apprentice who is continuing his grisly work…

And Now He’ll Teach Them
He buries his victims alive the way his mentor Harvey did, relishing their final screams as the earth rains down. And as one last gift to the only father he knew, he’ll make the most perfect kill of all.

How To Die
Everything about this investigation is unnerving Jo, from Harvey’s fascination with her to the fact that she’s working alongside Texas Ranger Brody Winchester, her ex-husband. Harvey’s protégé is growing bolder and more vicious every day. And soon the trail of shallow graves will lead them to the last place Jo expected, and to the most terrifying truth of all…

Praise for Mary Burton’s The Seventh Victim
“Dark and disturbing, a well-written tale of obsession and murder.” —Kat Martin
“Burton delivers action-packed tension.” —Publishers Weekly

Review:
Dr. Jolene Granger is a strong minded young woman whose determination and drive for knowledge pushed her through to become a psychologist. Now Jo delves into criminal minds helping local police and even the Texas Rangers. Now Texas Ranger Brody Winchester has contacted her to take her to interview a serial killer, Harvey Smith, who is dying from cancer. Smith was captured by Brody and has confessed to some of his kills but has refused to give up the location of some of the girls.

Smith is known for burying his victims alive and he likes to play mind games. He has called Jo for a purpose. He is willing to tell her a new location of bodies but there is something else he will only hint at. And he knows the secret between Jo and Brody that few others know...they were married fourteen years before.

Brody goes into protective mode when it comes to Jo. She is cautious about all men, but especially about Brody. After all, they had a whirlwind romance but Brody was young and hot tempered. He joined the Marines in order to earn money to support them but in so doing he abandoned Jo when she needed him most.

Brody wants a chance to show Jo he is not the immature young man she knew before. But right now they are hunting a new killer – Robbie, the protégé that Smith has just revealed. A young woman in Jo’s community has gone missing and it seems that another psychopathic killer is stalking Jo. Brody might have a chance with Jo but only if he can keep her safe and away from the killing ‘son’ of a madman.

Ms. Burton does an excellent job of building suspense into this twisted plot. There are several men around Jo whom the reader can suspect might be dangerous, some more obvious than others. Paths and clues cross to keep the reader guessing. Meanwhile there is the underlying tension of the conflict of unresolved issues, and passion, between Jo and Brody. The writing is sharp, full of action and momentum that made me want to keep reading all night. I am very glad to have found this author to add to my ‘go-to’ list for wonderful romantic suspense. This is definitely a must read for those who enjoy good romantic suspense.

I received this from Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting for an honest review, with author Interview and Giveaway - see next post!

Mailbox Monday 10/28/13

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) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.
For OCTOBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Gina @ Book Dragon’s Lair.
[Starting September, Bob of Beauty in Ruins will be the new back-up host for Mailbox Monday.]

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

I received three ebooks and two audio titles for review.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Title

I received Sanctuary from BookBlast

Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden
Tour Review November 19
Post apocalyptic action thriller.

Shrouded from Coffee and Characters 

for tour review on 12/3/13:

Sci Fi

I also received from the author to review over the next month or so:

Unfinished Business An Angela Panther Novel 
(A Chick-lit Paranormal book)
by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

and

These two Audios received through AudioBook Jukebox.

Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery
    UNABRIDGED
    by Jim Bernheimer
    Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer 

and

Five Million Dollar Cat: A Novella
    UNABRIDGED
    by Laura Lond
    Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Won

NONE

Purchased

I saw this series at Savvy Verse & Wit blog and thought it interesting enough to try it out.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox (The Jenna Fox Chronicles)

 by Mary E. Pearson

Free

Love Gone to the Dogs (Second Chances) by Margaret Daley (Jul 5, 2012)

• $0.00 Kindle Purchase

I also downloaded another 40 or so free Kindle Titles linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.
I'm not sure I will ever get to read all the books I have. *Sigh*