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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Audible Book Review: Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb

Another intense investigation with Eve and Roarke
Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8


Genre: Mystery, Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a sidewalk sleeper, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But in the heat of a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas' job is suddenly on the line. Now her hands are tied...between a struggle for justice - and a fight for her career.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio


Review:
Eve Dallas faces a skilled, clearly arrogant surgeon in this eighth installment. Someone is killing the homeless and unwanted in society - those whom some police consider not worth much effort in investigation. The deaths are done with laser-perfect precision removing organs which would seem to be damaged. Since the organs have no worth on a black market what could be the purpose?

Eve finds at the first scene a street officer, Bowers, who went to Academy with Eve although Eve doesn’t remember her much. But Bowers remembers Eve and is extremely bitter at Eve’s successful career. Bowers is about to cause major trouble for Eve accusing her of a wide range of inappropriate behavior including bigotry, abuse and sleeping her way to the top. Eve doesn’t care about Bowers’ insubordinate, bad attitude except to the extent it obstructs Eve’s investigation because it is clear that Bowers could care less about the homeless and prostitute victims.

Eve is putting unappreciated pressure on the creme of the surgical community and slowly uncovering a history of like crimes that begin to give her clues to a motive. Unfortunately, just as she is getting closer to the killer, Eve is devastated when Bowers’ distracting reports lead to a suspension for the possible murder of Bowers! Taking away her badge is equal to taking away the identity that Eve managed to create for herself.

It takes support, both technical and emotional, from Roarke to see Eve through this trouble and help her solve the medical crime. As always there is plenty of action, could rapport with Eve’s team and wonderful personal interaction with Roarke.

Audio notes: Susan Ericksen does a fabulous job with this series. She makes a good mystery even better with exceptional emotional intensity and personality to the voices. I really enjoy listening to this series!

I picked this from my own Audible Library.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Mailbox Monday February 24, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
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) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.


This Mailbox post covers three weeks (Feb 3- Feb 23) but I haven't picked up that many review books. The two review books I did receive are audios from Audiobook Jukebox.  I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.
Additionally there were a handful of Kindle titles I purchased and many Kindle books.


Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
Two titles I selected from Audiobook Jukebox:

Silver City Massacre

Title: Silver City Massacre
Author: Charles G. West
Narrator: Jim Meskimen
Publisher/Date: AudioGO, 01/17/14
A Confederate Soldier battles peril on the way to Silver City and tries to protects two women who survived attacks along the way.

Blind Goddess

Author: James R. Benn
Narrator: Peter Berkrot
Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 01/01/14




A double mystery for a US Army Captain returning to England in 1944
after a successful mission in Italy.



Won

None.

Purchased

Kindle purchases:

The Sea Glass Sisters

Purchased:

February 22, 2014
Price:$1.99


View Product Page






The Saving Mars Series Books 1-3


Purchased:


February 17, 2014
Price:$0.99


View Product Page



Cinder
Purchased:

February 15, 2014
Price:$2.99

View Product Page




The Titan Series: Military Romance Box Set: (3 novels + 2 novellas)

Purchased:

February 15, 2014
Price:$0.99

View Product Page


The Highland Heart Collection -- A Contemporary Romance Box Set (The Highland Heart Series)

Purchased:

February 10, 2014
Price:$0.99


View Product Page
Free

Plus I downloaded another close to 120 free Kindle titles - about 40 per week for three weeks.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 24, 2014

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 good week this week.  I finished four books and posted four reviews, three with giveaways! Got most of the usual memes. :-)

I visited a couple of handfuls of sites late this week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • Book Review with Print Giveaway: Sleeping Dogs by Tony Vanderwarker; Thriller; my rating 5.0. Open US Only. Ends 2/28/14.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible


Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change
by John Hagee
Narrated by Dean Gallagher
This wasn't quite what I expected but still an interesting discussion. I will review soon.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle


Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
by A. American
I really like this series!!
I am reviewing through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.



3. Audio
The Tempest


by William Shakespeare
Performed by a Full Cast
Published by AudioGO/ BBC Radio
I received this and Of Poseidon from SYNC YA
May 30 – June 5, 2013.
I thought I'd listen to the pair and then review them.
Description:
BBC Radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard.
Raging storms and rich beautiful music combine to magical effect in this production of Shakespeare’s allegorical last play, where mystical forces work to restore harmony and order to an estranged community.
Revitalised, original, and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the new millennium.



4. eBook/Kindle


The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)
by G. Michael Hopf
I have really enjoyed these post apocalyptic stories.
I am reviewing this one through NetGalley too.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 30, 2013
What would you do to survive?
Young Gordon Van Zandt valued duty and loyalty to country above all, so after 9/11, he dropped out of college and joined the Marine Corps. This idealism vanished one fateful day in a war-torn city in Iraq. Ten years later, he is still struggling with the ghosts of his past when a new reality is thrust upon him and his family: North America, Europe and the Far East have all suffered a devastating Super-EMP attack, which causes catastrophic damage to the nation’s power grid and essential infrastructures. Everything from cell phones to cars to computers cease to function, putting society at a standstill.
With civilization in chaos, Gordon must fight for the limited and fast dwindling resources. He knows survival requires action and cooperation with his neighbors, but as the days wear on, so does all sense of civility within his community—and so he must make some of the most difficult decisions of his life in order to ensure his family’s safety.


Line Edits/Releases:
Working on several releases.

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link:  The Way She Makes Me Feel by Pembroke Sinclair.
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:
1. Print


R Is for Rebel: ...and Royalty, Relatives, Reality, and Running from love... (Unruly Royals)
by Megan Mulry
I am mid-way on this. Still mixed feelings. :-)
Reading for Sourcebooks.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio
Of Poseidon


Of Poseidon
by Anna Banks
Published by AudioGO
I received this and The Tempest from SYNC YA May 30 – June 5, 2013.
So far I am enjoying this audio a little more than The Tempest. :-)

Description:
Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange–is it attraction?–and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of–a human who can communicate with fish. What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either–and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings. Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.



3. eBook/Kindle



The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy
by Robert Reed

I plan to start this one tonight or tomorrow.
Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Diamond is an odd little boy, a seemingly fragile child—who proves to be anything but. An epic story begins when he steps into the world his parents have so carefully kept him from, a world where gigantic trees each house thousands of humans and another human species, the papio, rule its far edges. Does Diamond hold the promise to remake one species and, perhaps, change all of the Creation?


I am up to date with my daily Bible reading. :-)

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on a new children's release.

I am still enjoying reading books from my own TBR. :-) My reading/listening is going along well but I have fallen behind in reviews due to being out of commission for several days. 
My backlog for review is still seven so I hope to do a couple doubles this week since I may get behind again next weekend. 

February Scheduled-
  completed

Sourcebooks:
   R is for Rebel – Megan Mulry (reading)

NetGalley:
  The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) by G. Michael Hopf (reading)
  The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed

Authors
 Many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox 
Making some new selections. 

From TBR Collection - Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: Free Audios: The Tempest and Of Poseidon 

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 23, 2014

Our Pastor's message this morning.was on our attitude towards money and particularly on tithing. He doesn't often speak on giving but every once in a while he encourages the congregation to an attitude of cheerful giving. He reminded us that it isn't money itself that is evil but "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" Timothy 6:10. Some people claim they don't have enough money to give any to the church. But the mature Christian knows that all his or her needs will be met only when God is honored with the first fruits of what He gives us.

My husband and I were blessed to have learned this lesson early in our marriage. We both agreed that we should tithe and God has continually provided all that we needed. There were lean times when we couldn't go to McDonald's for dinner, but we never went hungry. We did have to learn to surrender control of certain possessions in order to allow God to use what we had. It was then we recognized that everything we have -- all money, all talents, all possessions -- belongs to God. We are just stewards here on earth of the gifts He has given. He allows us to keep ninety percent of what He has given to us and only asks for a return of ten percent to further His kingdom. We have learned also that He is generous to pour out blessings when we share what we have. It is a beautiful thing and we are glad to give Him the praise!


This morning we sang this song as a new praise song.
I hope you enjoy it as I did.
Verses For Today:
Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)
8 "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you robbed me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?'
"In tithes and offerings.  9 You are under a curse--your whole nation-- because you are robbing me.
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."


A prayer today: Thank you Heavenly Father for always meeting our needs and for blessing us greatly beyond mere needs. Keep us mindful to help others by sharing what you have so graciously allowed us to be stewards of. May our faithful tithes and giving bless Your kingdom.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Sharing Beyond Books #139 Comment Giveaway February 22, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Well the largest group, eleven, have one ereader and it is a Kindle of various models. LindaK has the most with 4 Kindles plus the Kindle on PC. Nine commenters have no ereader but four of those use the Kindle app on tablet or PC. Two have other brands and one didn't name her ereader. Di had a follow-up question which I'll use another week. :-)
~~~~
The Winner from SBB #138 comments is: #1 Mystica who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #139 (One Question.)

Q1. Marjorie asks: I like watching cooking shows on tv;  What are your favourites??
A: I don't watch that much TV, plus I am not the cook in our household - my DH is. [Lovely thing, that! :-)] He/we used to watch Emeril and Rachel Ray. To be honest, I always enjoyed Good Eats hosted by Alton Brown probably because he explained the science behind the cooking!  These days my DH does most of his recipe hunting on facebook and another week (not today) we'll see if you know any of those FB cooks.    
Alton Brown - the Bill Nye for cooking. 
Image found at Kenneth Author.

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 still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Marjorie asks: 1. I like watching cooking shows on tv;
What are your favourites??


SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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 through Saturday March 1, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

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