My Bookshelves + Boxes!!

Well - good ol' J. Kaye asked us to take pictures of our book shelves! So here you go!

My Avatar is my main bookcase built by my very sweet DH!! (He had motive 'cause the boxes were weighing down our closest shelves!!)

These are my FAVORITE authors in alphabetical order... authors like (some but not all) Mary Balogh, Jill Barnett, Jo Beverly, Connie Brockway, Stella Cameron, Candace Camp, Liz Carlyle, Elaine Coffman, Catherine Coulter, Claire Delacroix, Jude Deveraux, Christina Dodd, Jane Feather, Julie Garwood, Jo Goodman, Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, Iris Johansen, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Kinsale, Britina Krahn, Lynn Kurland, Stephanie Laurens, Edith Layton, Merline Lovelace, Cathy Maxwell, Linda Lael Miller, Julia Quinn, Patricia Rice, Jodi Thomas, Susan Wiggs, Gayle Wilson and others!

The next shelf is in our spare room - where the grandkids, neices and nephews have a brio wood train set to play with and a table in the corner for coloring, both of which I managed not to get in the picture!!

Top box is books I've won from authors and want to read and review.
Top Shelf left - books I bought at RWA in Orlando and I want to read and review! Books to the right I have won on various blog sites.
2nd Shelf - Books to the left are my Janet Evanovich books for the Challenge! The rest (middle and right) are mixed books that have to go into the correct author box!!
3rd Shelf - more mixed books to go into the correct box.
Bottom shelf - box on left is male mysteries: Michael Connelly, Jeff Deaver, Stuart Woods; Box in the middle is Linda Howard books; Box to the right is all Jayne Ann Krentz (also her aliases Amada Quick and Jayne Castle).

Bottom box left is Sandra Brown (I sent a bunch out to a friend since it will be a long time till I get to read them!). Basket is mixed I wanted to read but haven't gotten too. Box on right is mixed Romantic Suspense. Blue plastic basket is JoAnn Ross.

AND THEN WE HAVE BOXES!!
To the left two boxes all historical romances mixed by year and alphabetically - 1991 to 1999 and 2006 to 2008. Then a box of Christian books and a box of fantasy books.
Then boxes for Suzanne Brockman, Brenda Joyce, Mary Jo Putney, Kat Martin, Johanna Lindsey, Mary Higgins Clark, Tami Hoag, Judith Ivory, Amanda Scott, Ann Seymour. Then mixed boxes of mysteries and romance.
Not shown are about seven more boxes still in my closet! They contain: Nora Roberts, Joan Johnston, a box of Anthologies, a box of Christmas Anthologies, a box of 2000-2005 mixed historical, a box of women's fiction and another box of mixed mysteries. Ohh - and another four boxes in the bedroom corner: Heather Graham, a box of contemporaries and comedy romance and a box of favorites I had picked to read but haven't gotten too.
Now you can see why I really have to partcipate in that Random Reading Challenge! I haven't gotten to any of these books since I got the Kindle2 in May and started reviewing! OH YES - I also have about 50 pdfs either won or bought which are on my computer!!
Any one want to shout "OVERLOAD!!!" No wonder my DH grumbles about my books!!

Two Spriral ARC Books

Here are two spiral books I received for review from Jeanne at Nancy Berland PR. Thanks Jeanne!

(I know - I need to practice to get better photos!)

The books are:

Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong --- Giveaway and review already posted!

and

Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards---- reading now!!

Review of Spinning Forward (Plus Giveaway!)

Title: Spinning Forward
Author: Terri Dulong
Publisher: Kensington Books
Buy Link: Coming in October 2009
Rating: You GOTTA Read 5 stars!!
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb: (From back of book) A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband's untimely death—and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Bereft of her comfortable suburban life, Syd takes shelter at a college pal’s bed and breakfast, where amidst the bougainvillea blossoms and the island's gentle rhythms, a plan begins to form…
Syd never considered the possibility of turning her passion for spinning and knitting into something more than a hobby, but when the unique composition of her wool draws attention, a door is opened—the first among many. Yet even as she ventures out of her comfort zone, Syd finds herself stepping into the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship...and secrets. And as long-hidden truths are revealed, Syd faces a choice: spin a safety net—or spin decidedly forward and never look back...

Review: I do not read a lot of women’s fiction but I am very glad I read this wonderful book! I would love to have a half dozen copies to give to family and friends!

Sydney has discovered that she is lost when her husband dies. As she learns the true extent of his gambling addiction she learns that even their house is gone in foreclosure. She discovers that not only did she never really know her husband but she doesn’t really know herself. She is feeling defeated by fear and doubt.

The story proceeds to follow Sydney through the next year as she grows from a depressed, abandoned, helpless woman to a joyful and assured business woman! Her business has a uniqueness that is charming – I have to check to see if they really do use that source for yarn!

The story includes a group of really wonderful secondary characters who are instrumental in their own ways in making Sydney face reality and find her own inner strength. There is best friend and B&B owner, Alison; determined and independent daughter Monica; sweet, helpful friend Dora; the very strange and eccentric elderly Sybile; and the elderly and oh so sweet Saren Ghetti! And of course a sexy male friend, Nick!

The setting is a beautiful place, Cedar Keys, in Florida but it is background to this character driven story. Although the story includes the male and female romantic relationship, with ups and downs, I found this to be a romance of spirit. This book celebrates life and a woman finding her own center and contentment. The writing is easy and flows. I did not want to stop reading and kept wanting to find out what would happen to Sydney next – what she would uncover or learn about others or herself. Will Sydney learn to fully soar? Read this wonderful book to find out!

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Enter the Giveaway for the ARC at FIRST GIVEAWAY

Don't forget to comment here at the review for 2 entries - one for commenting and the second if you mention another women's novel you have liked!

What are you Reading August 3, 2009

If you want to join this meme go to: http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/

I had a good week this week on the Paperback and hard cover books!

Finished reading:

PB: Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong (ARC Giveaway posted!)

Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory (Hachette Giveaway coming!)

The Imposter's Daughter (A True Memoir) by Laurie Sandell (Hachette Giveaway coming!)

Audible: ------
Kindle2: ------
Audio CD: -----

Currently reading:

PB: Can't Stand the Heat by Loiusa Edwards (ARC)


Audible: White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (Hallows Book 7)- 3/4 done - I really like this series! (The book is 18 and a half hours so still going!)

Kindle2: Chasing Shadows by Lauren Hope - Hope to finish tonight! Then on to
Looking Through the Mist by Rebecca Vickery

Audio CD: Age of the Unthinkable by Joshua Cooper Ramo (thanks to JKaye Book Blog!) - Once I got past the first disc I started to find this very interesting! (I have a short commute so this one is still going too!)

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY CONTEST!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED AUGUST 15, 2009.

I am excited to make this my first Giveaway! There will be more Giveaways coming up so keep a look out!




Giveaway of ARC of SPINNING FORWARD by Terri Dulong
Author's site: http://www.terridulong.com/index.htm

This is a debut novel and listed as "women's fiction" which is not something I read as often as other genres. I enjoyed this book so much that it is hard for me to give it away as I want to keep it! But I also want others to enjoy it too and it won't be released until October!

I will be posting my review tomorrow.

To enter the giveaway:
1. One entry: Please comment here telling me another debut novel you have read and enjoyed. Please leave your e-mail so I can contact you should you win!
2. Another entry: Become a Follower or tell me if you are already a follower
3. Two additional entries by commenting on the REVIEW HERE!


You may combine entries in one comment.

*open to residents of US and Canada (Sorry but I had to add this when I saw how expensive overseas mailing was. However! I am willing to chip in $3.00 bucks towards overseas postage if an overseas winner is willing to pay the rest! In which case an overseas person is welcome to enter the Giveaway! *G*)
*no P.O. Boxes


This contest will close Midnight (Central) on August 14, 2009.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries. I will e-mail the winner early on the 15th who will have 72 hours to respond. [I need time to mail out the book before I go on a cruise the end of the month! :)]