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Sunday, February 19, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 20, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I completed four good books.  I only posted three reviews so I'll have to add an extra this week. I also posted a guest post with giveaway, an ARC giveaway and a giveaway hop. I also posted my regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books and the Sunday post. 

Thank you to the nice people who visited me last week. My secretary was still out except for one day last week so I had no time for computer visiting. I hope to do a group tonight as it will be another busy week for me. I even have a mediation tomorrow even though it is a holiday.

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.
  • Book Review and ARC Giveaway - 2 Copies: The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.5. 
  • Book Review: Journey in Time by Chris Karlsen; Time Travel Romance; my rating 4.25.  
Finished Reading
1.  ebook/Kindle
 

by Chris Karlsen
Review and author guest post 
with giveaway linked above.




2. ebook/Kindle
 
by Laura Lond
A fun read. Review and Giveaway to post 
as part of Bewitching Blog Tour on 2/21.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
***1st place Reader Views Literary Award 2010 winner in the Young Reader category***
For full description click on the title link.


3. Kindle (NG)
 

by Tess Hilaire
A bit gritty but an awesome story!
I'll post a review this week.
Read for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 7, 2012
A STRANGER IN THE NIGHT...
He had once been a warrior of the Light, one of the revered Paladin. A protector. But now he lives in darkness, and the shadows are his sanctuary. Every day is a struggle to overcome the bloodlust. Especially the day Karissa shows up at his doorstep.

COMES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
She is light and bright and everything beautiful—despite her scratches and torn clothes. Every creature of the night is after her. So is every male Paladin. Because Karissa is the last female of their kind. But she is his. He may not have a soul, but he can't deny his heart.


4. Print
 

by Michael
Sad but a good mystery.
I'll post a review this week.
Reviewing for Little Brown & Co.

Book Description
Publication Date: February 27, 2012 | Series: Joseph O'Loughlin
She's standing at the front door. Covered in blood. Is she the victim of a crime? Or the perpetrator?
For full description click on the title link.



Line Edits/Releases: Nothing completed but close.


Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle
 

I am almost midway and 
still trying to figure this one out. 
Review to post 2/23;
(Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours)
Product Description
When the reclusive, cynical systems administrator, Petor Fidelistro, discovers that one of his own servers has been cracked late one night, he makes it his personal business to track down the perpetrator. What his search uncovers thrusts him, unaware, into a mad shifting between worlds, time and alien minds.

Fighting to keep his grip on reality, and forcing him to cope with his past, Petor finds himself uncontrollably transitioning between sentient minds that range from semi-conscious to dominant, from beings whose bodies and identities he can control, to those who control him so fully as to be unaware of his presence. As the story unfolds, Petor gathers clues in a twisting mystery that sends him shifting between the mourning child Nanzicwital; the golem giant Faskin; the lascivious, female ambassador Desidia; and Nokinis, an insane prisoner with whom Petor battles for mastery of his own memories. As he struggles to make sense of what is happening to him, Petor finds himself embroiled in the tumultuous upheaval of a ubiquitous society that transcends life, itself.



2. Audio
 

Lothaire is a pretty hard character to like so far.
I received this on Thursday to review for
Simon & Schuster through AudioJukebox
Book Description
Publication Date: January 10, 2012 
New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole continues her Immortals After Dark series filled “with kick-butt action and scorching passion” (Romantic Times)! Available simultaneously in hardcover and on audio for the first time ever! 
From the humblest of beginnings a millennia ago, Lothaire the Enemy of Old rose to power, becoming the most feared and evil vampire in the immortal world. Driven by his past, he will not rest until he captures the vampire Horde’s crown for himself. The discovery of his Bride, the female meant only for him, threatens to derail his plot.

Elizabeth Peirce is a mere mortal, a glaring vulnerability for a male with so many deadly foes bent on annihilating anything he desires. Yet soon he discovers his Bride’s secret. A magnificent power dwells inside the fragile human, one that will aid his quest. But to possess that power, he will have to destroy her. Will Lothaire succumb to the torments of his past, or seize a future with her?


3. Print
 

by Eowyn Ivey
I will start this tonight or tomorrow. 
Reading for Little Brown & Co.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart--he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone--but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.

This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.


I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. 
[Reading and listening on my new MP3.]
Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around1989 so I will enjoy it again.  I finish Deuteronomy and read Joshua this week.

Line Edits: As soon as reports are finished I will be back to continuing to work on print releases and making special arrangements for a children's book.


February:- I had fifteen books for certain plus a few more I may squeeze in. Ten completed.

Scheduled:

2/21 My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond, review (Bewitching Blog Tours)
2/23 The Canker Death by James R. Bottino, review (Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours)

Currently Reading (see above):
Little Brown & Co.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Sourcebooks:
The Night is Mine by ML Buchman (NG)

Authors:
Shadow Boxing [Family Heirlooms Series Book 2] by Karen Wiesner

~~~~
This got bumped to March  Love to Water My Soul (Dreamcatcher Series #2) by Jane Kirkpatrick, review (Ladies' Book Club)

[To be posted - I am setting these up soon for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.
Steamrolled by Pauline Baird Jone. Read; review to be posted with author interview.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 19, 2012

This was a morning where God spoke independently through three leaders to give the same message. That is always so awesome!

Our Sunday school leader had his message on Daniel prepared but was led instead to prepare a tangent lesson on "purification." We have been studying end times and Daniel's prophesies.  Daniel says in chapter 12 verse 10:  "Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand."

Our teacher explained the process of purifying or refining.  We actually had a man in class who used to be an iron smelter so he gave even more supporting detail.  The purifier sits before the crucible and monitors the heat of the fire and level of melted gold, adding the necessary flux (laundry soap/bleach), until the dross (waste) is removed and the smelter can see himself reflected in the gold. (See Malachi 3:1-4).  We may go through trials (the fire), but with the influence of the Holy Spirit, God's word, meditation, and church friends (the flux) we can give up the impurities (dross) in our life so that we become more like our Creator and Savior. We can have joy even in times of trouble as the trials prepare us to seek God more fully. James 1:2.

Our worship leader picked songs this morning included that included Get Ready for Revival, Days of Elijah ("And these are the days of great trial, Of famine and darkness and sword, So we are the voice in the desert crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord") and I Hunger and Thirst for You.

Our Pastor's message was entitled Rivers in the Desert. He reminded us not to be depressed or discouraged in difficult and dry times because God makes 'a new way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.' Is 43:19.

If we do not experience the desert then we may not recognize our need to seek God's help. Yet He is the only supply we ever truly need. The desert triggers the Divine supply. God is a God of transformation. The enemy brings desolation, desertion and dryness, but God will provide a way out and a new road. Only God (not drink, drugs or any other addiction) can fill the empty, dry places within us. We always have a hope if we have faith in God.

Thank you to my church team for being open to be led by the Spirit so that the word and message are affirmed!

I wish I could have found a different version of this song
but surprisingly I only found one other.
The speaker gives a nice invocation and the song starts at 1:40.
I Hunger And Thirst
Verse 1
I hunger and thirst for You
I hunger and thirst for You
In the desert of my need
You're the fountain that I seek
You're the Living Water I keep running to
I hunger and thirst for You
I hunger and thirst for You

Verse 2
I hunger and thirst for You 
I hunger and thirst for You 
Heaven's Manna Bread of Life 
Fill the emptiness inside
 Nothing else can satisfy me like You do
 I hunger and thirst for You
I hunger and thirst for You

Written by: David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith
CCLI Song No. 4290124

© Copyright 2004 New Spring, a division of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing; dba GreatWorshipSongs.com / CCTB Music (ASCAP)  Licensing through Music Services.

Verses for Today: 
Isaiah 43:18-19 New International Version (NIV)
18 “Forget the former things;
   do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland. 

I prayed this morning that I will always recognize my need for God and recognize that His Grace is sufficient for me in all things and all times.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #36 Comment Giveaway February 18, 2012

Welcome to another Saturday SBB. I had another pressing week. Good things at work but no time for computer visits.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.
At least eight or more of us would buy and read sequels after getting the first book free (or winning it.). Another four are in the "depends if likes the first book" group. Ricki noted that she has won or received later books in a series and had to go buy the first.

Well I am sorry most of you had no plans for Valentines. We had fun at the church dinner and we didn't have to play in the Newly Wed game this year as we did a few years ago. :-) DH did get me a bouquet of flowers that have graced the dining table all week. I hope Elizabeth had a nice dinner out and that Wolfswan1 has a good anniversary dinner on the 19th! As for scottsgal... I would be glad to skip a Valentines dinner for a cruise anytime! *BG*

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #35 comments is: #19 Abby. There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 2 Christmas choices and 1 Summer title below. Abby please let me know if you want a GC or choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, the one summer book below OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.


WEEK #36 Questions

Q1. This week Carol L asks a question that follows well on last week's series Q:  When starting a series do you let the books wait till you're able to read them back to back or do you just jump in with Book #1??
A:  I guess I jump in with Book #1 but I used to like to have the others on hand. That is why I have several collections like Catherine Coulter, Christina Dodd, Jude Deveraux and Iris Johansen to mention only a handful of my many collections. More recently I have been buying books as I go through the series like JD Robb, the Mercy Thompson Series and a few others, which I have been reading on Audible mostly.  But I have my lists so I can pick up books I may be missing in a series if I find them on sale!
My 20 Catherine Coulter books (these are the ones I haven't read yet)

My Christina Dodd Collection plus some of the Deveraux to the left


Q2. Here is my question: Assuming you had to do these chores, which would you do first: dust, vacuum or fold laundry??
A:  I know it is a silly question but I have to do all three and I was just trying to decide which to do first. I will probably dust then fold and save the vacuuming because DH is already in bed and I wouldn't want to disturb him. Besides, we could run the Robot vacuum (love that guy!) tomorrow downstairs while I run the canister upstairs.

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 FormAt the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions! 

Your turn to share:

1. This week Carol L asks:  When starting a series do you let the books wait till you're able to read them back to back or do you just jump in with Book #1??


2. Assuming you had to do these chores, which would you do first: dust, vacuum or fold laundry??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 12 books available plus 2 left in the Summer titles to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

My copy is a paperback from 2006
with a different cover.


A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles) 
A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles)
I love Susan Wigg's historicals!



SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10PM central.

Winner of Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel

Congratulations to 
Winner of 
 Giveaway Ended February 17

Gothic text from pookatoo.com

mammabunny13
Thank you to everyone who entered.
mamabunny13 please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can let the Publisher know to send the book  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Book Review: Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations) by Michael J. Sullivan

This is action packed adventure and very enjoyable entertainment!  Love adventure? Treat yourself to this book, which is actually two books in one.
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1082 KB
  • Publisher: Orbit; Original edition (November 23, 2011)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004XWBUKK
     Genre:Fantasy Adventure
     My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0


Product Description
THEY KILLED THE KING. THEY PINNED IT ON TWO MEN. THEY CHOSE POORLY.
Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles--until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom.

Can a self-serving thief and an idealistic swordsman survive long enough to unravel the first part of an ancient mystery that has toppled kings and destroyed empires in order to keep a secret too terrible for the world to know?

And so begins the first tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.

When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

Review:
Thieves are not always likeable...but sometimes they are. This is one of those stories. Royce and Hadrian are somewhat like Robin Hood as they tend to steal from the rich and help the poor. They are clearly thieves for hire and have been known in the past to be assassins. Royce was once a member of a well known thieves’ guild. However his successes made someone jealous and fearful so they set him up and got him banished. When he and Hadrian started working together, independent of any guild, they became known as the Riyria - successful and daring thieves who managed always to escape.

They have just returned from a successful job, particularly in light of a double play. They would not normally take another assignment immediately but their greed lets them get talked into the job of stealing a famous sword. Unfortunately for them when they enter the chapel to get the sword they find the King murdered and suddenly they are accused, captured, gagged and sentenced to execution by the Prince without even the chance to speak out.

A surprising source helps them escape provided they kidnap the Prince, for his own protection, and sent off on another adventure. They are hunted criminals with an unhappy companion who takes some understandable convincing of their good, or at least not malevolent, intent.

This story is packed with action and made me think of other great adventures like Robin Hood, Lord of the Rings and others.  There are elves, who are hated and abused. Myths that add to the story. There is a masterful, all but forgotten wizard with riddles and secrets. There are multiple suspects in the King’s daughter, who has studied sorcery and in the King’s brother, who might be protecting the Prince or plotting against him. No sooner do Royce and Hadrian rescue the Prince, a second time, than the Prince must send them out for another, seemingly impossible, rescue. All of the danger is part of a bigger political intrigue and villainy as nobleman and church leaders battle for power.

Theft of Swords contains The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha, the first two novels in the series.  I was very glad that this story consisted of two books as I wasn’t ready for the adventure to end with the first part. In the second book Royce and Hadrian are sought out by a young farm girl who seeks their services to save her father and village from the biggest, “baddest” (okay that’s not a real word but it fits) beast. She doesn’t have enough coin to pay their fee but their kind hearts are pulled into her plight.

I truly enjoyed these characters and liked that we learned some, but not all their history and secrets, as they struggle through their obstacles. The writing has a good flow that fit with the action. The descriptions bring the scenes alive. The second book ends with a big question that makes me want to get the next book sooner, although I already wanted to get it.  If you enjoy action packed fantasy stories I highly recommend this!

Descriptions to enjoy:
Myron, a monk who had never been outside of the abbey thinks this as he travels with Royce, Hadrian and the Prince:
He had seen snow, of course,... He never had seen how it settled on a forest or glittered on the edges of rivers and streams. Location 3166
The incredibly lustrous blade of Pickering's rapier caught the faint light in the corridor and glowed as it streaked through the air. It flashed and sparked when steel met steel. Location 3439.

Received for review from Orbit through NetGalley.
NOTE to my followers:
New feature: At the end of each month I will be hosting a monthly giveaway of a favorite book that I read that month - most likely books that are not already part of a giveaway. The Theft of Swords is likely to be my pick for February, although the month and reading isn't over yet. I may (possible but not guaranteed) be influenced by comments. So you might want to comment on reviews for books you are particularly interested in as it may effect my choice plus review comments will earn extra credit. :-)

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