It's Monday! What are you Reading May 30, 2011?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

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 finished six books (almost seven) this week, which surprised even me since both Historicals were on the long side.  Reading the audio/audible books certainly speeds things along. I posted three reviews, one with ARC Giveaway and one with Audio and older print book Giveaway.  I also posted a Splash into Summer Hop Giveaway, the Friday Pick Giveaway; Enquiring Mind Meme with Giveaway, Sunday post and a winners' post.

I visited a few blogs last week  - still not as many as I would like.
These were last week's posts plus a Winners' posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? May 23, 2011.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: SEALed Forever by Mary Margaret Daughtridge; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.75.  Ends 6/10.

• Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop;  Ends 5/31.

• Audio Book Review: Poirot Investigates Vol 1 by Agatha Christie. Classic Mystery; my rating 4.5.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 27, 2011.  Ends 6/2.

•  Enquiring Minds Meme Week #39 with Comment Giveaway.  Ends 6/3.

•  Audio Book Review and Giveaway: A Morning for Flamingos; plus print Giveaway Black Cherry Blues by James Lee Burke.  Detective Mystery; My Rating 4.25.  Ends 6/10.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement May 29, 2011.

Finished Reading:

Audible:
Kitty Goes to Washington: Kitty Norville Book 2
by Carrie Vaughn
I enjoyed this paranormal. 
I'll post a review this week.

Print:

Mary of Carisbrooke: The Girl Who Would Not Betray Her King

by Margaret Campbell Barnes

A wonderful story. 
I will post the review and 
giveaway on Tuesday 5/31.

Print and Kindle:

Illuminations of the Heart (Historical Romance Novels) 
by Joyce DiPastena

This is a very enjoyable, sweet medieval.
I will post the review soon.

Audible:

The 39 Clues, Book 1: The Maze of Bones 

by Rick Riordan

There is a lot of fun in this book.

I will do a review post this week.

Product Description 
What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world, in the form of 39 Clues? What if you were given a choice - take a million dollars and walk away...or get the first Clue? If you're Amy and Dan Cahill, you take the Clue - and begin a very dangerous race.

Audio Cassette:

A Morning For Flamingos by James Lee Burke

I posted a review and giveaway for this as well as a giveaway of a print copy of Black Cherry Blues: A Dave Robicheaux Novel. They are linked above.

Line Edits/Releases:

I completed and released the second Historical Novella:

Her Dreams Come True

 by Miranda Heart

I have finalized formats on Sword of Virtue by Joy Brooks so it is ready for final author read through and approval so this might get released this week.

Currently reading:
Print:
Virgin (Cat Star Chronicles Book #7) 
by Cheryl Brooks
I started this for a review next week. 

I do like sci fi romance. :-)

I am reviewing this for Sourcebooks.

Product Description
Zetithians have a feline gene that gives the males remarkable sexual prowess. Refugee Dax is no exception-but as a virgin, he has no idea how to use it. His fumbling attempts at romance fail to tempt the beautiful Ava, but he is determined to learn the art of love. Let the seduction begin...
Praise for Fugitive:
"This is a series that just gets better and better... It's sexy space travel at its finest."
-Night Owl Romance
"A wonderful read full of excitement and action."
-Romance at Heart

Print:

The Soldier

by Grace Burrowes

I have just started this 
for review, giveaway 
and Author Q&A on June 9.
A Sourcebooks review.

Product Description

Be among the first to discover rising star Grace Burrowes, whose searing debut, The Heir, captured awards, rave reviews, and a crusade of fans who can't stop talking about it.

Even in the quiet countryside he can find no peace...

His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor...

Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination...

With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Deviln's most urgent mission.

Audible:

The Devil Who Tamed Her 

by Johanna Lindsey
I am almost finished this.
I will post a review and print book giveaway this week.

Johanna Lindsey presents a sparkling, passionate Regency-era novel in which a beautiful but ruthless gossip meets her match in a dashing rake who sets out to change her wicked ways. Featuring two enthralling characters from the unforgettable bestseller The Heir, The Devil Who Tamed Her is a spirited new tale about the transforming power of true love.

Kindle: Undecided. I will probably get one of the June review books to read on Kindle.

Audible: Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel by Gail Carringer
OR Rapture in Death (In Death, Book 4) by J.D. Robb - I have the book but don't see me getting to read it anytime soon.

I am listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at 1 Samuel 31, Psalm 145 and Acts 1.

Line Edits:    Started formats on Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair and Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf.
 

I didn't intend to be so busy this month but somehow I took on more books than I realized - 13 commitments!
June 2011 Scheduled reviews:

6/9 The Soldier - Review, ARC Giveaway and Author Q&A (Sourcebooks)

6/13 From Mason to Minister: Through the Lattice by Neill Cullan McKinly - Review and Author Q&A (Pump up Your Books)

6/15 Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden - Review and Giveaway (Hachette)

6/20 Ex-Girlfriends United by Matt Dunn - Review and Author Q&A (Sourcebooks)

6/21 Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers - Review, ARC Giveaway and Author Q&A (Sourcebooks)

6/27 Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley - Review, ARC Giveaway and Author Guest Post (Sourcebooks) 

6/29 The Constantine Codex (Skeleton Series) by Paul L. Maier - Review and Giveaway (Glass Road PR)

Unscheduled:

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan, Celeste Bradley (St Martins)
My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel (Hachette - Forever Romance)
Taming Rowan by Suzanne Barrett

The Showboat Affair by Gwyneth Greer (Author)

To Be Sung Underwater: A Novel by Tom McNeal (Hachette Fiction - Little Brown)

Virgin by Cheryl Brooks (Sourcebooks)

Winners of The Gaurdian, Winner of Hood and Winner of Fancy Pants

Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways.

CONGRATULATIONS

to THREE Winners of

The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) 

by Margaret Mallory

Lady Vampire, Anita Y and Judy H please email me with your mailing info for Hachette.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner of
 Hood (The King Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

by Stephen R. Lawhead

Vidisha - Please email me with your address and let me know if you want any bookmarks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner of

 

Beverly - Please email with your address and let me know if you want any bookmarks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 29, 2011

Our Pastor did a sermon today to honor Memorial Day. It was entitled "We Will Remember." Pastor told us a story of early Memorial Day celebration* and reminded us that the purpose is to remember those who died in service of our nation - so that we will never forget.
Pastor then reminded us how every Sunday is a memorial day to remember our blessings. He pointed out many blessings enumerated in Psalm 103. He also gave us several verses acknowledging "memorial." But my favorite part of the sermon three ways our lives can be an active, living memorial to God. We can do these three things each day:
<1> Give Thanks. (Note - the difference between a prisoner and a monk is one has an attitude of 'griping' while the other has an attitude of 'gratitude.')
<2>  Walk in God's Way. Determine to follow Him and Honor Him.
<3>  Teach our children His ways. Teach peace, faith, love, belief and other virtues of God. But often these lessons are caught better than taught so the way we live should reflect God's way.

I set aside this song video in honor of Memorial Day.

The words are below the video.

All My Tears by Jars of Clay

When I go, don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole.
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store,
Come and drink, and thirst no more

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

So, weep not for me my friends,
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Verses for today.

Psalm 115:12-13 (NLT)

 ¹² The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
      He will bless the people of Israel
      and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
 ¹³ He will bless those who fear the Lord,
      both great and lowly.

I prayed today for the safety and well being of those in service and for comfort to the families who have lost a loved one in service to our Nation.
*(Some sites for Memorial Day history: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html; http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history; http://www.memorialdayorigin.info/)

Audio Book Review and Giveaway: A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee Burke

This is solid detective/crime entertainment.  

Morning For Flamingo by James Lee Burke

Read by Will Paton

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; abridged edition edition (December 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671736116
• ISBN-13: 978-0671736118

Genre: Detective Mystery
      My Rating: 4.25

Description:
A Cajun cop infiltrates the mob... but is he too close?

Clutching the shards of his shattered life, Cajun detective Dave Robicheaux has rejoined the New Iberia police force. While transporting two death-row prisoners, Dave is wounded and his partner killed -- reopening the doors to a past he would have rather kept closed.

Now he's trailing a killer into the heart of the Big Easy's underworld. Increasingly possessed by his undercover role, Robicheaux surprisingly forms an intimate bond with a Mafia don. Embroiled in a world of drug dealers, prostitutes and double-crosses, Robicheaux must still confront his most dangerous enemy -- himself.

Rich with fascinating characters and dramatic plot twists, the audio debut of James Lee Burke and his Cajun detective Dave Robicheaux recalls the best of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe -- tough, complex and thoroughly entertaining.

Review: I really enjoy this detective character and the slow draw of Will Patton’s narration


Dave Robicheaux has had some rough times in his life. He grew up in rural Louisiana with an alcoholic father, his mother having abandoned them. He ran into trouble as a New Orleans Police Officer, he struggles with demon memories from the Vietnam war and when his wife was murdered he spent a good amount of time sunk in a bottle. Now he works as a detective in the quieter town of Iberia. But somehow trouble still finds him.

Reluctantly Dave agrees to go undercover and return to New Orleans for a sting on the local Mob and drug dealers. Part of what he is seeking though is a chance to take out the vicious man who murdered his partner. The story is full of action with a troubled kid from the hood, a nasty murderer, a slick mafia don, an old sweetheart, and more. There are twists and double crosses that leave Dave treading water just to keep his head up (literally).  There are dark emotions with Dave continually fighting depression, and there is soft and sultry romance.

This is an earlier book (#4) in the Robicheaux series and I have listened to later stories.   Robicheaux is a tormented, broody and complex character. Although he doesn’t necessarily play (or work) by the rules, he is a good man seeking justice.  Even though the crime world created is dark and gritty, I do enjoy the word pictures that Burke creates. Maybe you can get a feel for the prose by the opening paragraph:

We parked the car in front of the parish jail and listened to the rain beat on the roof. The sky was black, the windows fogged with humidity and white veins of lightening pulsated in the bank of thunder clouds out on the Gulf.

Will Patton does a marvelous job narrating the story with his soft, dark, sultry southern accent. He is a master storyteller. There are some fowl words, common to this type of crime novel. If you like gritty crime mysteries and dark Louisiana ambiance this is a great listen and a great series.

xxx

Well - I thought this book was part of the Friday Pick Giveaway list #20 but I realize it is not. It was one I grabbed from my box at home so I get to give it as a giveaway here. :-)
Plus I am adding a giveaway for a used 1990 print copy of book  #3 from the series:  Black Cherry Blues: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE AUDIO BOOK OR THE PRINT BOOK:

***PLEASE BE SURE TO SPECIFY IF YOU ARE ENTERING FOR THE AUDIO, THE PRINT OR EITHER. THERE WILL BE A WINNER FOR EACH -TWO WINNERS.

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest that you find there. Please leave your e-mail!

2.   For an extra entry tell me if you have read this author and what you think about his books.  If you have already read either of either or both books tell me about it and if you win this giveaway you may pick from the review or ARC books and I'll award the cassette/book to another winner.

3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Five total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on June 10, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 39 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

I'm not sure if most of you missed my comment (** below in blue) last week noting that Dollycas will be ending this meme next week at #40.  Only three comments were made indicating they would like to either continue this or a similar comment post.  I would probably end up doing them on Saturday since that is usually when I get to it. (A little late tonight.) So maybe give me a comment this week if you are OR are not interested in continuing with a similar comment meme.
Thanks again for your answers last week.  There were some interesting job "dreams." I was curious what  Rachel's 'music therapist' career involves.  Many of us attended college and a several are in college now - oh you young things! Most of us do not go to reunions although at least five answered "not yet" because they are young and two were too far away.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #38 is: #1 Meredith. Meredith, please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

 

WEEK 39 QUESTIONS

1. If you could meet a famous person who would you like to meet?

If this were a deceased person it would be easier - #1 Jesus; #2 Abraham Lincoln.
However I assume we are supposed to pick a living person so I had to think and think. I decided not to pick a political person. And I am not a huge Hollywood star fan. So I decided maybe an author but then I had to think and think which one and I had a hard time settling on just one. I like Dollycas' answer.  (This is one of the few times I saw her answer before I typed in my own answers.)  I enjoyed going to the Romantic Times Book Fair two years ago and meeting many authors, including a brief hello with Heather Graham. I would love to go to a book convention and I hope I can safe up for BEA next year.  However, looking at this crowd I may have second thoughts.

 2. Are you planning a summer vacation?

We have already been on a couple of trips earlier this year so we have not made any summer plans yet. Maybe we will vacation at home!

3. What is your favorite television show?

We mostly watch movies on TV not shows. We used to love "24".

Your turn to share: What famous person would you like to meet? Are you planning a summer vacation? What is your favorite television show? 
**Please NOTE while you are answering - Lori at Dollycas has advised that she is going to be ending this meme at #40. I have really enjoyed getting to know you better by your answers and I may continue the questions or I could go to a comment meme. Please let me know if you are interested in continuing the enquiring type questions or would prefer another type of comment meme.

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the 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, June 3 at 10PM central.