It's Monday! What Are You Reading? October 29, 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.

Again, this was another good reading week.  I finished five books and posted five reviews to keep up.  I posted two author guest posts with Giveaways, and a download giveaway.  Plus, I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I got to visit some blogs last Sunday night, and then did more visiting Saturday.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 22, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox October 22, 2012.

• Book Review: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson; Romantic Comedy; my rating 4.5. 

• Giveaway Links + Guest Post with Rachael Anderson.  Ends 10/31.

• Book Review: The Mine by John Heldt; Time Travel, Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and Download Giveaway: The Jupiter Chronicles by Leonardo Ramirez; Children's, Fantasy, Steampunk; my rating 4.0. Ends 11/2.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 26, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 11/1.

• Audio Book Review: The Magician's Apprentice; Fiction, Middle Grade; my rating 5.0.

• Saturday Snapshot 10/27/12- Skagway.

• Book Review: Loving Luke by Suzanne Barrett; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.  Ends 10/26.

• Guest Post and Giveaway with Suzanne Barrett.  Ends 11/2.

• Sharing Beyond Books #72 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/2.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 28, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. Print
 

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight
by Grace Burrowes
I enjoyed this and 
will post the review and ARC Giveaway this week.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

2. Audio
 

The Magician's Apprentice
Author: Kate Banks; Narrator: Charlie Thurston
Remarkable! Review is linked above.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

Loving Luke
by Suzanne Barrett
Good romance.
Review  and Giveaway Post linked above.

4. eBook/Kindle

The Trouble with Cowboys
by Denise Hunter
I enjoyed this conflicted romance.
I will post the Review and Giveaway this week.
Reviewed for Thomas Nelson.

5. eBook/Kindle
 

THE HALLOWEEN COLLECTION FROM THE INDIE ECLECTIVE
M. Edward McNally (Author), Lizzy Ford (Author), Heather Marie Adkins (Author), PJ Jones (Author), Alan Nayes (Author), Julia Crane (Author), Shea MacLeod (Author), Talia Jager (Author), Jack Wallen (Author)
This was a fun collection - nothing too scary.
I plan to post the review on Wednesday 10/31.
I read this for my Just For Fun October & Halloween Challange.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 6, 2011The Indie Eclective: What is it, who are they, and why can they spell neither “eclectic” nor “collective” correctly? The Indie Eclective is an ensemble of authors operating under the assumption that Readers like Good Books. The Halloween Collection showcases spooky reads from nine very different authors. Whether you enjoy light or dark paranormal, YA or adult-themed genres, there’s bound to be a story to suit your tastes. Thanks for reading!

Line Edits: Waiting for print formats to be approved.

Currently reading:

1. Audio
 

Outer Diverse
by Nina Munteanu
Rhea Hawke is a tough assassin! I'm enjoying the action and suspense.
Reviewing for Iambic Audiobooks through AudioBook Jukebox. 
Description
Outer Diverse is the first book of the Splintered Universe Trilogy, set in and around the Milky Way Galaxy. The first book begins as Galactic Guardian Rhea Hawke intestigates the massacre of an entire religious sect, catapulting her into a treacherous storm of politics, conspiracy and self-discovery. Her quest for justice leads her into the heart of a universal struggle and toward an unbearable truth she’s hidden from herself since she murdered an innocent man.

2. eBook/Kindle

The Wicked Wager ( A Regency Murder Mystery & Romance )
by Anya Wylde
I am 10% into this and enjoying the characters.
Reviewing for the Author
to post with interview and Giveaway on 11/1.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
The infamous rake, Lord Richard Hamilton, has finally chosen his bride—the very appropriate Miss Emma Grey.
The ton approves, Lord Grey is pleased, Lady Grey delighted, and Emma is over the moon, but her uncle, (the blasted) Duke of Arden opposes the match, and Emma is ordered to move to the duke’s estate to think things over.
Richard Hamilton refuses to take things lying down and concocts a plan. A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. It was a simple matter of masquerading as the duke’s gardener, compromising the lady, and then having the duke rush them off to Gretna Green.
Alas, he underestimates the duke’s intelligence and the tangled situation on the estate—never had he imagined that compromising a lady could be so difficult.
His endeavours lead to a comedy of errors, charades, and knotty love affairs. Yet he forges ahead in spite of pesky house guests, a flea bitten mattress, his lovesick best friend, and a blackmailer.
Just when things seem to be going well, someone is murdered (very inconvenient), and he happens to be one of the suspects (extremely inconvenient).
His simple plan for winning the wager suddenly becomes … a tad complicated.

3. eBook/Kindle

Holiday Affair
by Annie Seaton
I will start this by week's end.
Reviewing for the Publisher; Review and Giveaway to post 11/7.  
Book Description
Publication Date: March 15, 2012
Staid professor Lissy McIntyre believes that choosing a mate should be based on common sense, not runaway passion. And she would certainly never pick a rolling stone like Nick Richards for long-term love. But a red-hot, tropical romance? Oh, yeah. He’s got a body just made for sinning and his sizzling kisses leave her senseless.

When Nick blows into town, he’s stunned to discover that his no-nonsense new neighbor and co-worker is the same sultry creature he seduced for one night of forbidden island pleasure. He’s unaccustomed to staying in one place for long, but he just can’t seem to keep his hands off the multi-faceted woman. Will Nick break loyal Lissy’s heart or will she be the one woman he simply can’t walk away from?

4. Print

Enslaved (Eternal Guardians)
by Elisabeth Naughton
I am 70 pages into this
and interested to see how it proceeds.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Release Date: November 6, 2012 | Series: Eternal Guardians

"Do not miss this series."—New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione

GRYPHON—Honorable, loyal, dependable...tainted. He was the ultimate warrior before imprisonment in the Underworld changed him in ways he can't ignore.

She calls to him. Come to me. You can't resist. But Gryphon will not allow himself to be ruled by the insidious whispers in his head. And there's only one way to stop them: kill Atalanta, the goddess who enslaved him. But with so much darkness inside, he can't be sure what's real anymore. Even the Eternal Guardians, those who protect the human realms and the gods, want to exile him.

Finding Malea is like a miracle. Somehow he doesn't feel the pull of the dark when she's near. And he's determined to keep her as near as possible, whether she wants him close or not. But she's a temptation that will test every bit of control he has left. One that may ultimately have the power to send him back to the Underworld...or free him from his chains for good.

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 2 Timothy.

Line Edits: I am waiting on one galley return and starting a poetry collection format this week.

I had 22 books listed for October and I finished 18. I removed one title from reading and there are 3 left over to carry into November.

Here is the plan for this week going into November; I will post the rest of November titles next week.
10/29 Bewitching Book Tour Feature: Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair
10/30 Review: Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes
10/31 Review: The Halloween Collection
11/1 Review + Feature: The Wicked Wager by Anne Wylde
11/2 Audio Review: Outer Diverse by Nina Munteanu
11/3 Review with Giveaway: Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter
11/4 (Sun)

Left from October-
Harlequin
A Tangled Affair by Fiona Brand  - may not read at this time.

NetGalley - moving into November
Uninvited by Heather Graham
Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles by Jim Melvin

Authors: - Last one to move into November
Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series) by Karen Weisner

Next From the TBR shelves - Won TBR: The Shifters of 2040, a Shifter Dystopia by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder - carry forward

[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 Encouragment October 28, 2012

We had a beautiful, Spirit filled communion service today.  Pastor continued his sermon series extolling the Power of the Spirit. He pointed out how Elijah passed the 'Mantle' (cloak) of power to Elisha. Elisha had asked for a double blessing and in fact the Bible records twice as many miracles for Elisha as Elijah.

Why do we need the Power of the Spirit?

• To be a witness. Acts 1:8
• To do exploits for God. Acts 6:8
• As an emblem of God's presence. 1 Corinthians 2:4
• As a ransom from destruction. 1 Corinthians 6:1
• As a revelation of Christ. Acts 4:33
• To prevent our hearts from fainting. Isaiah 40:29.

What response is needed from us? 

• Physically – we are expected to take action as directed by His Will.
• Spiritually – we are expected to surrender to His Will and direction.

When Elijah came upon Elisha, who was leading workers in the field, Elijah put his cloak on Elisha. Elisha, a man of worth, immediately returned home, sold his oxen and followed Elijah as his servant. 1 Kings 19:19-21.
Elisha did not make provision for less than God's best. He was accountable for the responsibility he took on. Likewise, our response should be immediate and wholeheartedly committed. We must be careful not to let the enemy trick us with good intentions that are not fulfilled. We should expect to put in effort and sacrifice as there is always a cost for commitment.

This is an old praise song that seems totally appropriate for today's message.

A Verse for Today:
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

I pray today (and I must renew this each day) that God, through the Holy Spirit, would strengthen my intentions into fulfilled commitment.

Sharing Beyond Books #72 Comment Giveaway October 27, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Hello late on Saturday Night. I'm finishing this late tonight as we went to a Sunday School group bonfire. The location was on a lake and beautiful although the wind picked up for a chilly 57 degrees. We watched Thou Shalt Laugh 4 and there was some great humor! 

Thank you to all who shared last week.

Several of your countries do not celebrate Halloween but I loved that most of you shared costume ideas or favorite costumes from childhood. I especially loved the book ideas: Carol NW suggested dressing as a library; Abby suggested dressing as a giant book; and Elizabeth mentioned school children having to dress as book characters. Several of you also mentioned dressing in older period costumes which would be fun too.

It sounds like we all have pretty big, and mostly out of control, TBR piles, boxes and shelves. I think the most organized sounded like Ricki with her sorted shelves, miki with her boxes by genres and mamabunny13 with her 10 books in a stack approach. I do have boxes by genres in addition to authors so maybe I can incorporate that for next year's approach to the TBR stacks. :-)  And Birgit, Carol and others - we will not even discuss the ebook (Knidles, Nook, etc.) TBR stacks!!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #71 comments is: #18 Cheryl C There are still 5 'love' books to pick from and 1 Christmas choice (see my note above about adding more titles to that list soon). Cheryl please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining five Love Books List for Giveaway, the new Christmas Giveaway Book list, 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 #72 Questions

Q1. Faith Hope & CherryTea asks: Many of the classics being formatted for ebooks are including the original illustrations. Are you more influenced to prefer or choose a book with illustrations?? 

I have been really lax at re-reading classics. I'm thinking I would rather listen to them then read. :-) But IF I were reading I think I would love to see original illustrations in the old classics.

While looking for an image I discovered a classic
that I loved as a child. Maybe you have one to share that you remember?

Images found at Ventura County Star for Winnie the Pooh
                   and

Wikipedia for Charles Dickens

Q2. Since we are almost on Halloween I have one more question: IF you do / or were to celebrate what part of Halloween would you participate in?? Decorations? Would you let the kids go down the street door to door for trick or treating or take them to a festival event??

A: We avoid the night and turn out our porch light although we are on a secluded mile long drive so not likely to get visitors anyway. :-) I get a big bag of candy for our church which is sharing with other churches in a downtown "Trunk or Treat" event where they give the candy out of the backs of cars. My daughter will dress the grandkids and take them to that type of event but she may well walk them around her neighborhood too to get their "trick or treat" candy. They have a very safe neighborhood and she will decorate her house as will many others. Our town also has a haunted house every year.

Mystica asked last week to explain the candy "trick or treat" aspect. I found two articles to share for explanations:   Why candy is given out on Halloween? found at http://www.emasherbs.com  and http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_people_give_out_candy_on_Halloween

Spider Web and Pumpkin Trunk idea found at Squidoo How to Trunk Your Car

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!

***OCTOBER Questions were submitted by: Louisa, Mary P, Krystal, mamabunny13 and Faith Hope & CherryTea. This months Q winner is: Krystal. Please choose a book selection from the SBB winner choices.

Your turn to share:

1. Faith Hope & CherryTea asks: Many of the classics being formatted for ebooks are including the original illustrations. Are you more influenced to prefer or choose a book with illustrations?? Or share an illustrated classic you remember from childhood.

2. IF you do / or were to celebrate what part of Halloween would you participate in?? Decorations? Would you let the kids go down the street door to door for trick or treating or take them to a festival event??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books (5 left) or the new Christmas Giveaway Books. 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, November 2, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Angel's Landing and Sultry with a Twist

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS
Giveaways Ended October 26, 2012


Giveaway Three Copies of Angel's Landing 

Na, pc and Natasha

Giveaway ARC Sultry with a Twist

Alicia

Na, pc, Natasha and Alicia Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will notify the publisher and or send the books.  Please reply within 72 hours!
Thank you to all who entered these giveaways.. 

Guest Post and Giveaway by Suzanne Barrett

I have read eight titles by Suzanne and I have been impressed by the unique plots in each. I asked her to share how she comes up with such different ideas.

 Coming Up With New Romance Plots: What Moves Me
by Suzanne Barrett

Why do I write the stories I do?  Each of my books is set in a different location with a protagonist engaged in an unusual activity.  My interest in England and Ireland fueled several stories:  TAMING ROWAN is set in England’s Cumbria; IN LOVE AND WAR is set in County Waterford.  SIERRA BRIDE is a historical with an Irish immigrant heroine, set in Eastern California near where I lived as a girl.

AN IRISH ROGUE is set in my home town of Santa Cruz, California.  LATE HARVEST explores the Mendocino wine country.  I’m currently working on another wine country story, INDECENT PROPOSAL, again set in my home town.  (Wine country, wine-making, and the Santa Cruz Mountains are of particular interest to me.)
 

I love the tortured hero.  It is satisfying to watch him stumble and pick himself up again and again until he finally has his light-bulb moment and realizes that what holds him back from achieving his goal is … himself.  I empathize with a heroine who also has baggage but is, underneath it all, an honorable person.
 
For me, reading fiction is an escape.  I want my protagonists to struggle to achieve their happy ending.  I want to see character growth that makes them worthy of their goals.
 
A character may have a less-than-honorable beginning, but to satisfy the romantic in me, he or she must have a moment of truth that changes everything once thought correct and sets him/her on a new path.  One of the ways I work to achieve reader empathy with a less-than-wholesome character is to show the mental push-pull going on.  If my heroine acts like a twit, she’d better have an inner voice questioning her behavior.  I think this helps a reader relate to someone who behaves badly because she then knows that character is acting “out of character.”

Settings and character traits do not make a story new, but if an author can fully engage her reader with likable protagonists and also create a unique setting, that story can be a classic and still feel fresh and exciting.
 
I used this technique in TAMING ROWAN, a story about a project engineer, an alpha male who lays down a “no women on site” rule, and a youthful, talented heroine who fights for acceptance.  Pretty standard fare?   However, I made it unique by making the heroine a structural engineer with just the right qualifications for the project.  Then I set the story at a remote antenna installation in northern England.  The dishy but rude British project officer is then forced by circumstances beyond his control to accept the young American.  Add the remote beauty of the Fells, cozy English pubs, wild storms, and an unwanted but undeniable attraction between the hero and heroine and you have the recipe for a romance that isn’t the norm.
 
In LOVING LUKE I have created a wounded warrior, a reclusive photographer who was badly burned in a car crash and now struggles to revive his career and heal emotionally, and a social worker with a tender heart.  Add a high-achieving family to whom she’s the square peg, a quirky gal pal, and a torrential storm that strands the heroine overnight at the hero’s cabin and… well, I’ll let you be the judge.
 
One reviewer said:  “This book hits all my love buttons!  I love the characters, from Jo, the conflicted heroine with the ritzy family, to the even more conflicted hero, Luke Falconer, who’s got demons and guilt and tremendous talent for photography and great heart, which he keeps hidden until it comes to Jo.”
 
I’d like to read your comments on what type of stories hit your love buttons.


About the Author:

Suzanne Barrett
Following a career in engineering, Suzanne has returned to her first love of writing and literature. Born in Southern California, Suzanne, along with her husband and an elderly cat make their home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Suzanne is also a jewelry designer, and her wirework is shown at various arts and wine events throughout the county. (Visit her jewelry website at www.bellerustique.com.) In addition, she has an Irish travel website with articles, recipes and an extensive photo gallery. When she's not writing or designing jewelry, Suzanne loves to garden.

First published by Kensington Books, Suzanne's first novel for Turquoise Morning Press was Late Harvest a Mendocino California wine country story, followed by her two-time Golden Heart finalist book In Love and War a story set in County Waterford, Ireland.  Taming Rowan is set in England's Cumbria district and one borne of her work in aerospace. She has also released over the past year or so: Gift of the Heart, Sierra Bride, An Irish Rogue, Risking it All, Loving Luke and her most recent release, The Prodigal Lover

Visit Suzanne at:
www.irelandforvisitors.com
www.bellerustique.com
www.suzannebarrett.com
Twitter @suzanneb1441

Giveaway 

of Herringbone Green Jasper Earrings hand made by Suzanne 

and a digital copy of Loving Luke

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for earrings and digital copy:

1. MANDATORY FOR ENTRY: Leave a comment here for Suzanne answering "What type of stories hit your love buttons?"
2. For two additional entries visit the author's website or blog and tell me something you find of interest.
3. For an additional entry comment on my review of Loving Luke or one of my reviews of Suzanne's other titles found through this link. 

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL OR WAY TO CONTACT YOU.
Four total entries possible; separate comments not required.

* This contest is open Worldwide.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 2, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 3, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.