Mailbox Monday December 3, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR DECEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Suko's Notebook!

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. 

I added more review books to my book 'forest' this week.
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

I received four review titles -which I forgot to list the last two weeks.

Tribute Books Blog Tour for February 6, 2013
A New Birth of Freedom The Translator by Robert G. Pielke

Bewitching Blog Tour for December 10th

Old Man and Monkey by George Polley

Blog Tour Review on December 18

Christmas Magic by Terri Rochenski

Blog Tour for Entangled Publishing for December 12

In Bed with the Opposition 

by Stephanie Draven

This week I received three more books:
From Forever at Grand Central: two Christmas reads!:

Hunk for the Holidays
by Katie Lane

                                    and

Last Chance Christmas

by Hope Ramsey

Received from Simon & Schuster, through Audiobook Jukebox.

Agenda 21

by Glenn Beck

Wins

None

Purchased

None

Free

I didn't have time to pick up any free titles on Kindle this week.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 3, 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 didn't feel like I read as much this week even with plane time. But I guess it was okay. I finished four books and I am well into another two. I posted four reviews, one with giveaway; plus an Author interview, a Bookblast Giveaway and a Giveaway Hop. I posted a Thanksgiving post in addition to the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I didn't get to visit hardly at all last week and will have little time this week too. :-( Then next weekend I will be on a cruise (in Hawaii!) and won't be able to spend time on the internet. So I hope everyone will understand my absence.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me, especially when I don't get to visit back.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? November 26, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox November 26, 2012.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Five Days of Fear by David Kovach; Christian Thriller; my rating 4.25. Ends 12/7.

• Book Review: Forged in Death by Jim Melvin; Fantasy; my rating 4.25.;

• Bookblast Giveaway $50. GC -- First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch. Ends 12/18.
  

• Book Review: Shards of Ashley by Karen Wiesner; Inspirational Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 30, 2012. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/29.

• Christmas Books Giveaway Hop. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/7.

• Book Review: All I Want For Christmas is You by Lisa Mondello; Contemporary Romance, Holiday; my rating 4.25.  

• Blog Tour Interview with Lisa Mondello. 

• Saturday Snapshot 12/1/12 - Towel Animals.

• Sharing Beyond Books #77 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/30.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 2, 2012.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle
 

All I Want for Christmas is You
(Contemporary Holiday Romance)
(Fate with a Helping Hand)
by Lisa Mondello
--A sweet, quick read. Review and Author Interview linked above. (The ebook is currently available free!)

2. Audio

Karma's Law
by Kristi Lamb
A good solid mystery.
I will post a review this week.
I'm reviewing for Spoken Word, Inc. Audiobook through AudioBook Jukebox.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

My Soul to Lose (Soul Screamers)
Rachel Vincent
I slid this into November as my Kindle TBR selection.
I decided to read this Novella to see if I wanted to get into this series. I didn’t immediately get into the YA atmosphere.  However, as the story progressed I was drawn to wonder at the particular gifts, or curses, that Kaylee, Lydia, and no doubt future characters, are exhibiting. I was interested by the end, but not pulled in enough to rush off to the rest of the series.  I do like this author's writing and enjoyed several of the Shifters series.
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2009
It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.
She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....

An eBook novella exclusive prequel to Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series.

4. Print

His Love Endures Forever (A Land of Canaan Novel)

by Beth Wiseman

This was lovely with a Great Message!
I had hoped to get the review up maybe Sunday but my schedule didn't allow it so I will post the review
this week with a Giveaway.

Line Edits: I uploaded a new children's book this week:

Mew by Barbara Miller - very cute!

Mew has everything: a cat lady who feeds her turkey buffet and cheese balls and a warm bright house. Still she enjoys running away to mouse in the woods. But one time when she comes back her house is dark.Type a description for this product here...

Currently reading:

1. Print

Deliver Me From Temptation: A Novel of the Paladin Warriors
Tes Hilaire
I am two thirds done and enjoying this (except for the bad words.) I do plan to finish by Wednesday and post a review with ARC Giveaway later this week.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

2. Audio-Theatre

The Man Who Murdered His Mother-in-Law
by Steve Hendrickson
This is a full production performance and very entertaining!
Reviewing for Audio-Visceral Productions through Audiobook Jukebox.

With Bollinger tastes on a Blatz budget, Gerald & Laura despair over their down-at-heel life until Laura's mother suggests an bizarre and unnerving solution.

3. Audio MP3

Colony 
by Scott Reeves
    UNABRIDGED
    by Scott Reeves
    Narrated by Martin Scott
I am about an hour into this.
There is conflict I am interested to follow.
Reviewing for the author through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
In the 13th century, Earth is dangerously overcrowded. To reduce the population, people are chosen by lottery and shipped off to the stars to colonize other solar systems. Shiploads of colonists are dropped off on unexplored worlds and left to their own devices.
Jorge Leever and Meesha Androva are the only survivors of one such failed attempt to colonize a distant planet. For 20 years, they've been alone, unable to communicate with Earth. Now, another cargo ship arrives and discharges a new group of would-be colonists.
Jorge and Meesha intend to guide the development of the new colony, since they've accumulated 20 years' worth of knowledge about the planet.
Bannock, a brutal, criminal slumlord back on Earth, has other plans. He intends to reestablish his crime syndicate on this fledgling colony world and eventually return to Earth as a conqueror. But Jorge and Meesha stand in his way.

4. eBook/Kindle

The Old Man & the Monkey
by George Polley  
This looked like an interesting and quick read.
Reviewing for Bewitching Blog tour post December 10.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 25, 2010
'The Old Man & The Monkey' is a stunningly beautiful story of a relationship which develops between an old man and a creature which is regarded as a dangerous pest in Japan, a snow monkey, in George Polley's moving allegory of dignity in the face of racism.

5. eBook/Kindle

Godspeed: a love story

Dan Chabot

I didn't get to start this last week 

but expect to start by the end of the week.

Reading for the Author to post in December.

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. The reading this week is 2 Peter.

Line Edits: I have three books that I am completing formats on this week.

I have 15 books set for December with one done and two nearly completed. I hope to read some extra Christmas titles too.

Reviews carried forward to post this week
His Love Endures Forever
Kamra's Law

Scheduled for December
12/1 - already posted, review, author interview and Giveaway Hop
12/6 BookBlast: All I Want by Rachael Anderson, Jolene Perry & Kaylee Baldwin
12/10 Review: The Old Man and the Monkey (Bewitching Blog Tours)
12/11 Review: First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White (BookBlast)
12/11 Gift Card Giveaway Hop Dec 11-17
12/12 Review: In Bed With the Opposition by Stephanie Draven (Entangled)
12/14  Review + Guest Post: All I Want by Rachael Anderson, Jolene Perry & Kaylee Baldwin (BookBlast)
12/14 End of World Hop Dec 14- 21
12/18 Review: Christmas Magic by Linda Carroll-Bradd, Lindsay McFarrin, Terri Rochenski
12/27 BookBlast: Dead Running
12/29 Blitz and Review: Perfection Unleashed (Bewitching Blog Tours)

Sourcebooks:
Deliver Me From Temptation by Tes Hilare

Hachette
Double Danger (An A-Tac Novel) by Dee Davis
Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane
Last Chance Christmas by Hope Ramsay

Audiobook Jukebox
The Man Who Murdered His Mother-in-Law by Steve Hendrickson
Colony by Scott Reeves
Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck
(expecting two more soon)

NetGalley
Uninvited by Heather Graham - I started it but need to try again.
Christmas Promises Anthology

Authors
The Blessed and the Damned (Righteous Series #4) by Michael Wallace


I'd like to read at least one "Won"/TBR book and one free Kindle book.:-)
Older Won Book:  TBD
Kindle Read - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 2, 2012

Today is the first Sunday in Advent -
Once again we are reminded of the HOPE and PROMISE that came through the birth of a precious baby - God's own Son.

We light one candle to symbolize breaking the darkness and to be reminded that Jesus is the Light to break the darkness in our hearts, our lives and in our World.
We wait in anticipation as we prepare our hearts for the joy and celebration of Christ's coming as a infant to bring Hope and Salvation to those who will believe.

Image found at Creative Communications.

I considered several songs (as always) but chose this one to start the
Advent Season.
The Magic of Christmas / God Bless Us Everyone

Verses for Today:
Romans 15:12-13 (New International Version)
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A prayer for today:
May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming.
Amen 

Sharing Beyond Books #77 December 1, 2012

Hello and Welcome to another SBB!

Happy Saturday Night and Happy December!! I am a bit tired after another full day of traveling to closing yesterday and busy day today. I am starting to pack for our trip to Hawaii and have all sorts of things running in my head that I need to do! AARGH! Is anyone else feeling rushed as the holiday season starts?

Thank you to all who shared last week.

The group is fairly split on book size: six prefer smaller or mass market, five prefer larger or trade, and one said medium but I don't know where that falls. Four said it doesn't matter and two more said it doesn't matter as long as the size is consistent within a series. Texas Book Lover chose Kindle, then small to hold but bigger to read. Several people mentioned that the bigger books, trade backs, seem to have larger text. I hadn't thought of that but winnie noted that the mass market are generally less expensive. .

Black Friday shopping was also split.  Five of you do not have BF in your country, but Birgit shopped online and Abby thinks it might be fun to do BF shopping. :-) Six people DO NOT Shop on BF at all; two others only shopped online.Five actually did do some shopping, although Faith Hope Cherry Tea shopped the sales earlier in the week. nrlymrtl went out to dinner and a show, which sounds like fun.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #76 comments is: #9 Linda K There are still 5 'love' books to pick from and new Christmas choices. Linda K 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 #77 Questions

Q1. Birgit asks: How often have you re-read your all-time favorite book(s)? And how often do you generally re-read books??

I don't do a lot of re-reading... especially with so many 'new' review books and new authors to read. So I guess I have to say my re-reading is very rare. I have however picked up some older classics on audio to re-read, like Farenheit 451 which is waiting for me to listen to.

Image and feature found at ALPHA Reader

Q2. My question this week: Do you send out/give Christmas cards??

A: I do send cards from my office and for several years I have sent music CD cards to my clients. This year I am sending a pop-up spinner card. We used to give cards to everyone at church and also would mail a few. I have several boxes of cards still. On the home front we send computer cards to many of our family and only give real cards to those we share Christmas day with and maybe a handful of friends.

I was impressed by all the card ideas online!
Image found at Clownmom Creations

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 draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions.    Thanks for sending in questions! We can always use fresh questions.
November Questions were submitted by: Carol L, Winnie, Miki, Elizabeth and Margaret. The random pick is MIKI who gets to pick a book title.

Your turn to share:

1. Birgit asks: How often have you re-read your all-time favorite book(s)? And how often do you generally re-read books??

2. My question this week: Do you send out/give Christmas cards??

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, December 7, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Saturday Snapshot (Dec 1, 2012) Alaska Cruise - Towel Animals

Except for an occasional photo in the future, this is the last or our Alaskan Cruise Snapshot highlights.
[Next week I hope to start sharing from our visit to Hawaii as we leave 12/6!]
I always love the Towel Animals they make on the cruise so here are our six animals that greeted us at night.
There isn't one on Day 5 because we confused our cabin steward by eating at a different time and he didn't get to turn down the beds and leave a pet for us.

 Day 1 - Mr. Snake

 Day 2 - Mr. Pig with Attitude

Day 3 - Cutie Elephant

 Day 4 - Ms. Dino

Day 6 - Pup with Attitude

Day 7 - Heart :-)
A sweet note to end our cruise!
Which reminds me--- Yesterday, November 30, was my 27th wedding anniversary!!
(Too bad I spent the day traveling to and from Orlando to attend a real estate closing.)
I will have to pull out our wedding album and get some of the photos scanned. :-)

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.