It's Monday! What Are You Reading? July 2, 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.

My reading was good even with interruptions and a couple of early nights due to stress and exhaustion (related to Dad's deteriorating health and catching up at work). I finished four books and posted three book reviews, one with giveaway link. 
I also posted a Giveaway for Audiobook Week.  As usual I  posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I got to visit about 20 other sites early last week but never got back for more after that.
Thanks as always 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? June 25, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox June 25, 2012.

• Audible Book Review: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen; Mystery (Historical); my rating 4.25. 

• Book Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.75.

• Book Review and Giveaway Link: Itineras (The Samsara Chronicles Book 4)  by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley; Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

• AudioBook Week 2012 Giveaway. Ends 7/6.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 29, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 7/ 5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #55 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 7/6.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 1, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle
 

Itineras (The Samsara Chronicles Book 4)  

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

I like this series. Rated 4.0.
Review is linked above.

2.  Print

 

The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine

Jayne Fresina

I really enjoyed this story. Rating 4.25

I will post the review Tuesday 7/3.

3. Print/Audible
 

Flabbergasted: A Novel

by Ray Blackston

This was our Ladies' Book Club pick for June 30; fun and a good message. 
We all agreed this was a great read. Rating 4.5

I will post the review on Wednesday 7/4.

4. Print

In the Doctor's Bed

by Brenda Jackson.

I am not a big fan of "doctor stories" 
but I did enjoy this. 
This author writes warm enjoyable romance. 
I read this for Harlequin Survey 
and will post a review sometime this week.

Line Edits/Releases: I am behind in these and plan to take a day this week to work on only releases..

Currently reading:

1. Audible
 

Timeless: The Parasol Protectorate, the Fifth

• UNABRIDGED
• by Gail Carriger
• Narrated by Emily Gray
• Series: Parasol Protectorate, Book 5

I am enjoying this although it seems I haven't had a lot of time to listen as I have been reading and listening to the Kindle books.
    

 2. eBook/Kindle
 

Tempest (The Samsara Chronicles Book 5)

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

I look forward to continuing this series.

Review to post 7/5 for Pump Up Your Book Tour.

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2012

Suspected of multiple murders, Aislinn and Dylan must flee both human and alien pursuers.

Narrowly escaping danger during their quest to acquire the talismans and suspected of multiple murders, Aislinn and Dylan endure harsh winter conditions to evade the military and corrupt human minions seeking to stop them from the opening of the portal.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)
 

Thoroughly Kissed 

by Kristine Grayson (NetGalley) 

I am 75% on this and it is delightful!

Reviewing for Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Sleeping Beauty has sworn off kissing...

Emma awakens to an entirely different world than the one she lived in a thousand years ago, and although she's the real Sleeping Beauty, her life is no fairy tale. After parting ways with her supposed Prince Charming, she's determined to be a normal girl—she hides her magic and swears off kissing strange men.

But her gorgeous boss Michael knows there 's something unusual about Emma, and he thinks she's as infuriating as she is beautiful. Now Emma needs to teach Michael a lesson, which means mastering her magic. She knows she's flirting with danger, but after one look at Michael's perfect lips, all she can think is, "What's another thousand years ... ?"

Welcome to the fractious fairy tale world of Kristine Grayson, where the bumpy road to happily ever after is paved with surprises ...

4. eBook/Kindle
 

 

Forgive Me Alex

by Lane Diamond

This looked interesting so

I am reading for tour review on 7/9,

with Giveaway through Novel Publicity.

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2011

Evolved Publishing presents an intimate look inside the mind of a killer, and of the man determined to end that killer, in "Forgive Me, Alex" by Lane Diamond. (Psychological Suspense Thriller)

~~~~~~~~~~

Tony Hooper stands in shadow across the street, one amongst many in the crowd of curiosity-hounds gathered to watch a monster's release. Seventeen years after Mitchell Norton, "the devil," terrorized Algonquin, Illinois on a spree of kidnapping, torture and murder, the authorities release the butcher from psychiatric prison.

Tony longs to charge across the street to destroy Norton—no remorse—as if stepping on a cockroach. Only sheer force of will prevents his doing so.

"The devil" walks the world again. What shall Tony do about it? Aye, what indeed.

After all, this is what Tony does. It's who he is. "The devil" himself long ago made Tony into this hunter of monsters. What a sweet twist of fate this is, that he may still, finally, administer justice.

Will FBI Special Agent Linda Monroe stop him? She owes him her life, so how can she possibly put an end to his?

Tony Hooper and Mitchell Norton battle for supremacy, with law enforcement always a step away, in this story of justice and vengeance, evil and redemption, fear and courage, love and loss.

~~~~~~~~~~

.

5. Print
 

 

Dark Side of Valor 

by Alicia Singleton

I like how this has started.

Reading to review on 7/10 for Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour with $100 GC link.
Book Description
 Publication Date: February 7, 2012
Child advocate Lelia Freeman saves children for a living. As the director of ChildSafe Shelters, she ventures to abandoned squats and crackhouses to rescue teens from the hellish streets of Los Angeles. When she is summoned to Washington to serve on a committee that aids the children of a war-torn African nation, Lelia is kidnapped and becomes a political pawn in a sinister conspiracy. Oceans away from everything she knows, she must trust a mercenary to save her life, or die in the clutches of a psychopath.

Hunting, combat and staying alive are Elijah Dune's specialties. Vengeance is his passion. Haunted by past demons, he travels to the Motherland to collect a debt. A debt that demands one payment. Death.

Caught in the crosshairs of a madman, Lelia and Elijah must survive the jungles of Zaire and the horrors of their pasts or be forever consumed by the DARK SIDE OF VALOR.

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. Last week's reading was Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. This week I start the New Testament with Matthew.

Line Edits: I am behind in these too and hoping to train one of my assistants to upload conversions to Kindle and Smashwords.

I finally selected fewer titles for a month! I have less than 12 committed although I may pick up a couple through the month..

Scheduled for July:

7/5 Tempest (The Samsara Chronicles Book 5) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link

7/9 Forgive Me Alex by Lane Diamond - Review with $50.00 GC Giveaway link tour through Novel Publicity
7/10 Dark Side of Valor by Alicia Singleton - Review for Pump Up Your Book with $100.00 GC Giveaway link
7/11 Maelstrom (The Samsara Chronicles Book 6) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
7/18 Exodus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 7) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
7/24 Nirvana (The Samsara Chronicles Book 8) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
7/25 Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren

July but Unscheduled: 
Sourcebooks- I've picked a few for August/September but none in July unless I pick up something at NG during the month.

Other NetGalley Review choices:
None yet.

Audiobook Jukebox:
No One Left to Tell by Karen Rose

Hachette
Grand Central Station
Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

Other:
Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch
Glass Angels by Karen Wiesner

With some open time I really do hope to read a couple of Won books this month.:-)

[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 July 1, 2012

We were out this afternoon to another hot ballgame.
We had a lovely service this morning with a guest pianist. He played some great medleys with patriotic songs melding into beautiful and powerful old hymns of victory.
Interestingly I finished reading the Christian novel Flabbargasted and I think it ties in well with victory and American views. I will post the review on July 4.

Meanwhile - please enjoy this video. (I still cannot see videos on this computer as something is blocking the video... I have to get time to figure this out.

Verses for today:

Psalm 96:1-2

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.

Today I am thankful for the many blessings America has but more so I am thankful for the Victory I have in Christ.

Winner of Dee Davis Book Choice

CONGRATULATIONS 
TO WINNER OF

 Giveaway Choice from two Dee Davis books

Nise please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and let me know which of these two books you would like me to send to you.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Thank you to all who entered.

Sharing Beyond Books #55 Comment Giveaway June 30, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!
I am back at home but rather tired after a stressful week. My dad has been moved to the Hospice wing and he continues to have a somewhat better day after several bad ones. It is difficult but we are all glad that he is more comfortable now and the Hospice staff are very compassionate.

Today was busy: 9:30am Ladies' Book Club; 11:30 lunch with Ladies' Planning Committee; 3pm Grandson's All-stars baseball game in the hot sun...that knocked me out for a snooze.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

I have to admit that I was surprised that a good number of you do not read horror - mentioned by 6. Many of us do not prefer erotica - mentioned by 6 and nonfiction or specific genres of nonfiction, like sports, was mentioned as not preferred by 6 commenters.

Our computer use is fairly well divided with 9 using primarily desktops, 8 of us using laptops with one using a netbook so I would say that makes it 50/50. Several did mention a back up source including a couple of smartphone/iphones.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #54 comments is: #11 Isa There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Isa 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/Review box (New Updated list at the Giveaway Hop) and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #55 Questions

Q1.  Margaret asks: Do you have a favorite bookmark??

A: I can't honestly say I have a favorite and I will grab what is handy, a loose bookmark, a store receipt, a postcard.  I have collected one or two nice bookmarks on my travels but I don't use them so I can keep them for memories.  

This image of bookmarks is a great idea and I am going to ask my daughter if she would make me some of my grandkids!

Image found at  Come Together Kids

 

Q2. My question: Do you tan, burn, avoid the sun??

A: I do not tan well and I mostly avoid the sun except for short exposures. I am not a beach person at all although I enjoy the pool for laps or short cool downs. My DH on the other hand loves working in the sun and he turns a berry brown.

See the "computer programming" tan second in from the right? That would be like me. :-)

Image found at Funny Ville
 

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!  
June Questions have been provided by: Carol L, Faith Hope and CherryTea, mamabunny13, Birgit and Margaret. The Random.org # was 5 so Margaret, please make a book selection.

Your turn to share:

1. Margaret asks: Do you have a favorite bookmark??
 
2. My question: Do you tan, burn, avoid the sun??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 8 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, July 6, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick June 29, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

I think this is still open so I am still asking for your vote on my Audio love post at Audiobook Community. Here is the link if you get a chance and would be so kind :-):
Thanks Faith Hope Cherrytea for telling me the link was general.
Here is the specific link:  (Scroll down below mid page)
http://www.facebook.com/audiobookcommunity?v=app_308816365872891&app_data=entry_id%3D6058046

Thanks for continued prayers and caring for my Dad. He was moved to the Hospice wing on Monday night where he will be more comfortable while we await his progress. My daughter and I returned home on Tuesday and we are staying in touch for reports on his condition.

Check out the new book group I added today - a mixture of romances and mysteries!

Thank you to all who entered June 22 Pick.  There were FOUR Automatic winners again this week!! :-) (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
There were two blocked picks and one was won through Random.org again (Sorry Carol M.)

Linda K chose Beneath the Surface
Leah chose Dear John
Carol Wong chose Note of Peril
and

bn100 chose Wildflower

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from June 22 Pick:

Faith Hope and Cherrytea gets a GC
and welcome to a new entrant who won first time out:

Jane chose In Too Deep

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

Another surfer reading image!
Image found at StarTribune Books

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international

 

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

The Promise by Kasey Michaels

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown

Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard

Death's Door by Meryl Sawyer

Life Support by Tess Gerristen Audio Cassettes

Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

Exit to Eden by Anne Rice

While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

*Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Mueller

*Covert Pursuit by Terri Reed

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)



New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone)

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I  posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 378 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)