Monday Mailbox May 30, 2011

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

This Meme started  with Marcia at The Printed Page but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts. The host for May is MariReads.

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

Because I have so many books on my TBR shelves and plenty in my review box I have not been entering too many giveaways. Not even the blog hops which are huge, have great prizes but are just too time consuming.
But I have managed to win a few books/giveaways since my last post in March.

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man

by Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan
To be honest I am not positive how I came by this ARC which releases June 1.
I know I saw it in THE HOT SHEET newsletter on March 2 from She Loves Hot Reads and St. Martin's Press but I can't quite figure out where I signed up to read or win it.

I won this book from a comment entry at Bookaholics.

Andy McDougal and the Crypt of the Chimera (Book 1)

by Kevin Richardson.

Thank you Kevin and Aik.

 I won an Amazon Gift Card for $15.00 through the Wednesday Review party at Cym's. This is a favorite weekly event for me. I love posting a review there  and getting to check out other reviews.  Winner a GC is icing on the cake! Thank you CYM.

I received Fated

by Rebecca Zanetti

and a Kensignton TShirt from the

 April Goodie Box at AuthorIsland 

Thank you DeNita and Kensington.

I also received A Blue and Gray Christmas (Ladies of Covington)
by Joan Medlicott. 
This was my book choice form a win at Book Journey one week when I visited more than 10 It's Monday posts.
Thank you Sheila. :-)

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/)