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Sunday, July 29, 2012

Mailbox Monday July 30, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR JULY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Mrs Q: Book Addict.

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.

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


This week was a little quieter for my book garden. How is yours doing?

Review Titles
I didn't receive any new review titles last week and I didn't pick up any new titles at NetGalley.
However, for August reading, I did pull out Wild Irish Rose from the group of books I received from Walnut Press for review.
Wild Irish Rose by Deborah L. Weikel










Wins

I won bookmarks from Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book!  Thank you Lori!

I still have some wins due in from the Coffee Anniversary Extravaganza hosted by Coffeetime and The Romance Studio. And I need to select some more books this week; then I will post them. 

I picked four titles from BooksForABuck won thru the CT and TRS anniversary.
Thank you BooksForABuck.
BIG SICK HEART by Mike Markel:


QUIET ANCHORAGE by Ed Lynskey










COUNTERFEIT COWBOY by Robyn Anders





THE LAST MIND TRAVELER by Kate Rothwell:






Purchased
None


Free 
I downloaded more free Kindle titles this past week.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? July 30, 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 read several good romantic suspense books this week.  I finished five books and have moved well into one more. I posted five book reviews, one with giveaway and one with giveaway link. I also posted a Blogoversary Flash Giveaway. As usual I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

Once again I got to visit about 20 or so bloggers early last week but not later in the week. Thanks as always to the nice people who visited me.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.
  • Book Review: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.
  • AudioBook Review and Download Giveaway: Eathed, A Dragon's Tale by Troy Lee Henderson; Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction; my rating 4.5.
  • Book Review: Blackout by Annie Solomon; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.
Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle
 


 by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley
There is good imagination in this series. The review is linked above.




2. Print (Galley)
 

by Kaylin McFarren
This is good romantic suspense.
The review is linked above.




3.  eBook/Kindle
 
 
by Kristen Callihan
I did enjoy reading this and will post a review this week.
Picked up on NetGalley for Hachette.





4. eBook/Kindle


by Colleen Coble
This was a really enjoyable romantic suspense!
I will post a review soon. Read for Thomas Nelson.




5. eBook/Kindle
 

by Mary Wine
I really liked the premise of this story. 
Check in on August 1 for Author Guest Post and my review.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012

Beneath the Surface of Victorian Life Lies a Very Different World...
Hated and feared by the upper classes, the Illuminists guard their secrets with their lives. Janette Aston's insatiable quest for answers brings her to their locked golden doors, where she encounters the most formidable man she's ever met.

Darius Lawley's job is to eliminate would–be infiltrators, but even he may be no match for Janette's cunning and charm...



Line Edits/Releases: coming soon.

Currently reading:
1. Audible
The Watchman of Ephraim: Cris De Niro, Book 1 | [Gerard de Marigny]


The Watchman of Ephraim: Cris De Niro, Book 1
I am a third into this and the intrigue is building..
Reviewing for JarRyJorNo Publishing through Audiobook Jukebox.


2. eBook/Kindle


I just started this to review as part of Bewitching Book Tour on August 2; with Author Interview.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 26, 2011
In August 2012 an amateur astronomer spotted a comet; which was later dubbed Perses, Greek god of destruction. While NASA was tracking its trajectory they discovered it would pass dangerously close to the moon causing Earth’s gravitational field to shift leading to a global catastrophe. The world’s entire nuclear arsenal was launched.

Perses was destroyed and rained down on the unsuspecting world. A dormant alien virus triggered by the nuclear radiation swept across the planet leaving death and mutation in its wake.

Now its time to survive…


3. Print
 

by Julie Ann Walker 
This is a wild ride! I am 2/3rds complete. 
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Nate Weller is a crackerjack sniper and masterful covert operative, and he's loved Ali Morgan nearly half his life. But she's his best friend's baby sister, so he keeps his feelings to himself. When she blows into town with a motherlode of bad guys on her tail, all of his protective instincts kick into high gear. But will keeping her safe cost him his heart?


4. eBook/Kindle



by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley
I will read this for review to post 8/6 as part of
Pump Up Your Book tour - with Kindle Giveaway link
Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Directed by one of their Earthly guides, Aislinn and Dylan venture to the Overlap, an ancient castle situated within a temporal rift where they discover the nature of Shakan’s treachery.

Seeking answers regarding the kidnapping of her parents, Aislinn and Dylan follow one of their Earthly guides to the mysterious Overlap, a temporal rift situated within an ancient castle. There they experience past events that reveal the nature of the rival Nirvanan bloodlines as well as the identity of the traitor in league with the Klatrians.


5.  eBook/Kindle
 

One Breath Away
by Heather Gudenkauf
I saw this on other blogs and it caught my attention.
I was able to pick this up on NetGalley to review.
Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2012

In her most emotionally charged novel to date, New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf explores the unspoken events that shape a community, the ties between parents and their children and how the fragile normalcy of our everyday life is so easily shattered.

In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.

Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town's children in her hands. Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again. Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care. And thirteen-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.

As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.


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 the reading is Acts 1-12.

Line Edits: Still hoping to train one of my assistants to upload conversions to Kindle and Smashwords.


I am starting August with 14 books to read and review. I have three reviews to post for books finished in July. Looks like I'll be posting 5 reviews a week again in August to keep up with the reading. :-)

Scheduled for August:


8/1 Lady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary Wine w/Guest Post (Sourcebooks)
8/2 The Perses Effect by R.E. Robinson, Jr., w/Interview (Bewitching Blog Tour)
8/6 Netherworld (The Samsara Chronicles Book 9) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
8/10  Bloodline (The Samsara Chronicles Book 10) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
8/11  Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman (Ladies Book Club) with Print Giveaway
8/15  Entity (The Samsara Chronicles Book 11) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
8/20  A Little Mischief by Amelia Grey w/ Guest Post (Sourcebooks)
8/22  Kindred (The Samsara Chronicles Book 12) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
8/27  Nexus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 13) by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book - with Kindle Giveaway link
8/30  I Own the Dawn: The Night Stalkers by M.L. Buchman w/ Author Interview (Sourcebooks)

Unscheduled for August:
Sourcebooks:
Hell on Wheels by Julie Ann Walker

Thomas Nelson
The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck
Faithful to Laura (A Middlefield Family Novel) by Kathleen Fuller

Walnut Press:
Wild Irish Rose by Deborah L. Weikel

I plan to slip in at least one "Won"/TBR books again 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 29, 2012

We shared lunch out at "dinner club" groups today so this is another 'late' post. 
We had a lovely communion service this morning. There was a brief report from our teens who went to Los Angeles for a week of street ministry. I will share more about that later. The Pastor then shared a message from a book and film that we have been studying in the adult Sunday School.  I am saving more about that for another day too.

Today I am sharing from some notes on prayer from a few years ago.
Why is prayer important?
1. Prayer is how we communicate with God.
2. Prayer changes things.
3. Prayer is the rail on which the locomotive of God's will moves.
4. Prayer changes me.

Here is a lively version of The Lord's Prayer in song.


A Verse for Today:
Ephesians 6:18 
...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Why is it I sometimes need to remind myself to pray EVERY day?  If you want to read a book that will change your view of prayer, read This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #59 July 28, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Another busy week for me and I am working hard to get things caught up. I have been reading some good suspense this week.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

There are several people who don't drink while reading so they don't risk spills. For others the drinks range from coffee, tea, water and sodas... even an occasional glass of wine. I think I would fall asleep if I tried to drink wine when I read. Llehn had the most different drink a banana mocha shake - which almost sounds decadent. :-)  Maria admits to reading through meals, when alone. I do that too, especially at lunchtime when I eat at my desk with the Kindle going.

Snack choices are for the most part not healthy things like: chocolate, cookies, chips, popcorn. Marianne had the more healthy choice with nuts or craisins; and Lissette eats fruit. Carol L eats trail mix as a second choice after chocolate licorice! Really?? I love chocolate and I love licorice ... but not together. LOL

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #58 comments is: #11 Di  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Di please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #59 Questions

Q1. Abby asks: Have you ever watched a movie because it won an award? Which movie was it? Did you actually like it??
A: I had to think about this. Well, actually I had to look up a list of award winning movies to remember. One movie was A Beautiful Mind. And yes I liked it although it isn't one I would watch over and over - rather sad.
 Image found at Wikipedia
 
Q2. My question: To go with Abby's - Have you ever read a book because it won an award? Which book? Did you like it ??
A:  I again went the lists: Hugo Awards (sci fi) and Pulitzer Prize. I had picked up two books at Audible for their ratings and award The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Hugo 2009) which I just read this month and rated it a 5.0.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Pulitzer Prize 2007) I listened to in 2008 and rated it a 5.0 at Audible.  This book started me reading more post-apocalyptic stories.
 Image found at Audible
 

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!   July questions were offered by: Krystal, Mary P, Faith Hope and CherryTea and Abby. Random.org picked #4 -- Abby gets a book pick.



Your turn to share:

1. Abby asks: Have you ever watched a movie because it won an award? Which movie was it? Did you actually like it??
 
2. My question: Have you ever read a book because it won an award? Which book? Did you like it ??

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 Updated ARC/Review List 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, August 3, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Illusion and Heroes Die Young

I was checking books for updated ARC and Review Giveaway list and discovered that I had never announced a winner for this one - so sorry for the delay.

 Ended April 27, 2012
ARC Copy of Illusion
Helen



Ended July 27, 2012
Bison61

Helen and Bison61 please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the books and/or notify the publisher/author.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.

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