We Remember - Freedom Is Not Free.

While we celebrate Memorial Day today, let us take time to remember and be thankful for those who have fought for our freedom.

Mailbox Monday May 28, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday which I am hosting for May 2012. Thanks everyone for linking and visiting this month - it's been fun to host.
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 JUNE: the Mailbox Monday Tour host will be Sassy Brit at Alternate-Read.com  [http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com]

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

My book garden is steadily growing! How about yours?

Review Titles

I received one print review book:
The Claimed by Caridad Pineiro
Review and Author Interview for Pump Up Your Book Tours on June 12, 2012. 

Thank you to author Caridad Pineiro.

I received Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione from Hachette.
I will review this in June.

 Wins

I also received.this print book that I won the "Motherload" at The Mother's Day Book Giveaway hosted by Quickie Book Reviews!!
In Search of Lucy by Lia Fairchild
Thank you Lia!!

Purchased

I did purchase some Audible titles on sale at the beginning of the week; it is hard for me to resist Audible sales! Plus I had a $10.00 credit. These are the four I picked up this week:

Touch of Power
by Maria V. Snyder... a favorite author.

The Way of Shadows: Night Angel Trilogy, Book 1
by Brent Weeks
I listened to the prequel and wanted to listen to more.

Distant Thunders: Destroyermen, Book 4

by Taylor Anderson

I already have Book 3 in my Library so I picked up Book 4 on sale. :-)

AND

Her Royal Spyness: A Royal Spyness Mystery

by Rhys Bowen

This had good ratings and looked like one I would like.

 Free

I also picked up too many free Kindle books to list.  Does anyone else have a ridiculously huge Kindle TBR?  I'm hoping to start reading two of these a month to start a small indent.

Your turn! Please share: what's in Your Mailbox?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 28, 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 had a surprisingly good week, finishing four books and getting well into two more. I posted four book reviews, two with Giveaways, and posted two announcements.  I also posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I visited a handful of blogs last week for What are you reading and Mailbox Monday. I haven't figured out why I don't get to visit past Sunday and Monday. Thank you to the nice people who visited me.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.

• It's Monday What are You Reading? May 21, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox May 21, 2012.

• Forever Blog Tour Announcement for Lucky in Love.

• Audible Book Review: River Marked by Patricia Briggs; Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: Dangerous Favors by Joyce DiPastina; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.

• Book Review with Review Giveaway: Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25; Ends June 1.
  

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 25, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 5/31.

• Author Hosts US Military Wives Contest.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy; Christian, Historical Romance, Comedy;  my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #50 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 6/1.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 27, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. ebook/Kindle
 

Dangerous Favor

by Joyce DiPastena

This was lovely.

The review is linked above.

2. Print
 

Lucky in Love (A Lucky Harbor Novel)

by Jill Shalvis

Fun read. The review and Giveaway are linked above.

3. Print
 

Calico Canyon, Lassoed in Texas Series #2

by Mary Connealy

This is a fun historical, Christian read.

The review and Giveaway are linked above.

Product Description
Let yourself be swept away by this fast-paced romance, featuring Grace Calhoun, an instructor of reading, writing, and arithmetic, who, in an attempt to escape the clutchs of a relentless pursuer, runs smack dab into even more trouble with the 6R's - widower Daniel Reeves, along with his five rowdy sons. When a marriage is forced upon this hapless pair - two people who couldn't dislike each other more - an avalanche isn't the only potential danger lurking amid the shadows of Calico Canyon. Will they make it out alive? Or end up killing each other in the process?

4.  Audio MP3
 

Phantom Universe

by Laura Kreitzer

Narrated by Karen Savage

I really liked this! It reminds me of Hunger Games and Divergent.  I will be posting the review this week. Reviewing for Revolution Publishing through AudioJukebox.

Line Edits/Releases: Nothing uploaded this week but a Galley is out as well at least one, maybe two prints ready to go live maybe this week.

Currently reading:

1. Print

Henny on The Couch

by Rebecca Land Soodak

I am not quite two thirds in this.
Interesting but not a fast read.
Reviewing for Hachette.

Book Description
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
..... Click on title link for full description.

Kara's narration, at turns heartbreaking and hilarious, captures the imperfect thoughts we have about ourselves and those around us. Rebecca Land Soodak's debut novel asks the difficult questions about the choices we make while revealing the minute details that end up defining our lives.

2. Print/Kindle
 

Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live)

by Catherine Mann

Good romantic suspense! I like this author. Review and ARC giveaway to post this week.

Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Elite Force: That Others May Live

"Riveting action, to–die–for heroes!"—Suzanne Brockman, New York Times Bestselling Author of Night Watch

No Holds Barred, In Love or War...

A decorated hero, pararescueman Liam McCabe lives to serve. Six months ago, her and Rachel Flores met in the horrific aftermath of an earthquake in the Bahamas. They were tempted by an explosive attraction, but then they parted ways. Still, Liam has thought about Rachel every day—and night—since.

Now, after ignoring all his phone calls for six month, Rachel has turned up on base with a wild story about a high–ranking military traitor. She claims no one but Liam can help her—and she won't trust anyone else.

With nothing but her word and the testimony of a discharged military cop to go on, Liam would be insane to risk his career—even his life— to help a woman who left him in the dust.

"Catherine Mann is one of the hottest rising stars around!"—Lori Foster, New York Times Bestselling Author of Savor the Danger

3. Audio
 

Wired Kingdom

• UNABRIDGED
• by Rick Chesler
• Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer

 This is an interesting thriller.

Reviewing for Variance LLC through AudioJukebox.

Publisher's Summary

When a blue whale tagged with a web-cam designed with stolen defense technology broadcasts a brutal murder at sea as part of a television nature program, Special Agent Tara Shores finds herself navigating an ocean of manipulation and deceit. It's a deadly race to reach the 100-ton creature roaming the Pacific before an unknown killer can destroy the digital evidence it carries. As Shores dives deeper into the case, what she initially dismisses as a publicity stunt for the glitzy reality series soon sweeps her out to sea in a riptide of greed, intrigue, and high-tech crime. 

4.eBook/Kindle
 

Foolish Games

by Karen Wiesner

I will start this one next. Reading for the author.

(Book Description from Amazon)

Publication Date: April 6, 2010

Falling in love will take letting go of their fears. That, or a miracle…

Nuggets of faith can be passed down as family heirlooms from parent to child, sibling to sibling, spouse to spouse.

Family Heirloom, Book Three – Healing

A year after he lost his beloved wife, Peter Samuels still struggles with overwhelming grief. As the sole caretaker of growing children, the first anniversary of her death hits especially hard as he faces the world without a partner.

There is only one man for Kimberly Wolfe. Her boss, Peter. But he’s taken. First, by a marriage she envied from afar. Now by his grief. However, she’s used to the idea that happily-ever-after may never happen, not with a childhood haunted by a domineering father who used the Bible to justify his God-given place as the head of their household. A father who still refuses to repent for the wrong he’s done. Kim has tried, but forgiveness comes hard when trust is in short supply.

An innocent kiss on New Year’s leads to a growing awareness—of each other, and of the gaping holes in their lives that only love can fill. But before they can take the first steps on the road to healing, first they have to build a bridge…

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 around 1989 so I will enjoy it again. This week's reading is Daniel.

Line Edits: Working on finishing another line edit; making final adjusts on book conversions to upload to Kindle/Smashwords.

I brought a couple of April books into May to finish which gave me 11 or so books scheduled to read for review in May. --Fourteen completed; 4 this week; done for May. :-)
Don't miss the THREE KINDLE GIVEAWAY EVENTS posted this month and noted in the Tour box on the right sidebar.

May Scheduled Events:

Unscheduled but Planned for April:

Hachette-
Henny on the Couch by Rebecca Land Soodak

Sourcebooks:
Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live) by Catherine Mann

AudioJukebox
Wired Kingdom by Rick Chessler

Author Reviews:
Foolish Games (Book 3 of the Family Heirlooms Series) by Karen Wiesner

NetGalley
I have several chosen but not sure if they will make May reading.

[To be posted - I am setting these up 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.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 27, 2012

This is Pentecost Sunday and we had a beautiful service filled with the presence of the Spirit. Pentecost celebrates the birth of the church when the Spirit filled the worshipers for the first time. It is fitting that Pentecost and Memorial Day may be celebrated together. Both are dedicated as a remembrance. 

Our Sunday School leader pointed out that in Revelations 3:1-6 God spoke to the church at Sardis. "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." (v.1-2).  All churches need to be careful to do more than go through the motions. We need to remember the power of the Spirit and allow Him to work within our hearts and lives.

This wasn't one of our songs this morning but I think it is beautifully fitting.

Verses for Today

Acts 2: 1-4 (New International Version)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

I pray that the Spirit will always help me to remember that God is my creator, my redeemer and my guide.

Sharing Beyond Books #50 Comment Giveaway May 26, 2012

Welcome to SBB! It is so hard to realize that we are almost through five months of 2012 already.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.

Most of us are forgiving of minor errors in historical fiction but we don't want blatant errors and we are annoyed if we know there is an error. Also, we do want the story consistent to the era  :-)

I was pleasantly surprised that we all like vegetables! Asparagus is a favorite to 4 people and it would be my second fav too. Sarah's favorite is fiddleheads which I had to look up - it is a type of fern. I love learning new things! Abby didn't like brinjal which I also had to look up -  it is eggplant.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #49 comments is: #9 Marianne. There are still 7 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Marianne please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, 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 #50 Questions

Q1.  Abby asks: Have you read any Asian books (Asian-influenced, Asian authored, about Asia)??

A:  I looked up Asia to learn that it includes 48 countries. I didn't realize that. The only book that I thought of by an Asian author or about Asia that I have read is a book I got at a book signing at a favorite bookstore in Jupiter.  The Purple Storm by Nicholas Tu which is the remarkable true story of a man who struggled for 15 years to escape from Vietnam.

Q2. My question this week:  How did you celebrate your graduation??

A: This seemed like a timely question. My mother took my sister and me on a Nassau cruise when we graduated from High School. My father took me on a trip when I graduated college. We went to the Super Bowl in LA and then went out to Hawaii to visit my sister who lived there at the time. When I graduated from law school I have to admit that I partied with a friend drinking Tequila. Oh that wild college past - I don't do that anymore. :-)

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 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. Abby asks: Have you read any Asian books (Asian-influenced, Asian authored, about Asia)??
 
2. My question: How did you celebrate your graduation??
 
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 9 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

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, June 1, 2012 at 10 PM central.