Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Mailbox Monday April 21, 2013

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.


I received one print title and numerous audio titles. 
(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
Received from Forever/Grand Central - Release date is April 29 and I will read this as my next print.
The Windflower
by Laura London
The classic tale of passion on the high seas, available in print for the first time in 20 years . . . 

I have also received several audiobooks from Post Hypnotic Press
I will list them as I begin the series or titles. Here are the first four.

These are short mysteries  - I have listened to the first one and it was a fun psychological story of obsession.

Audio Book: Gail Bowen, "Shadow Killer," A Charlie D. Mystery (Rapid Reads)

Won

None.

Purchased

None.


 Free
Plus I downloaded another 60 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday What are You Reading? April 21, 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.

Another busy but not too stressful week except for juggling work with staff out sick  I got four reviews done but only three posted, one with Print giveaway and a Giveaway Hop as well. Also posted the usual memes. :-)

I visited others early in the week and at the end of the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
Finished Reading:
1. Audio


The Undead Pool: The Hollows, Book 12
Written by: Kim Harrison
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
I do enjoy listening to this series.
Review to post on Monday.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle


Anointed: The Cantati Chronicles
by Maggie Mae Gallagher
I liked this intense, action fantasy. 
I'll be posting review later this week. 
Click on book title for full description.




3. eBook/Kindle



Hard to Handle (Love in the Balance)
by Jessica Lemmon
A sweet, sexy second chance romance.
Review and giveaway linked above.
Click on book title for full description.



4. Audio



Love You to Death
Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 1
by Gail Bowen
These are quick bite mysteries which I am excited to have received in audio format for review from Post Hypnotic Press.
Charlie D is the host of a successful late-night radio call-in show. His listeners have a particularly intimate relationship with him and often reveal much about themselves, confident that he will honor their trust and that he can save them. In their minds, he is perfect: one of life's winners. But Charlie feels he's something of a fake. His easy confidence on-air belies the reality for a man born with a wine-colored birthmark that covers half his face. Love You to Death covers one hour on "The World According to Charlie D"--an hour during which he must both discover the long-time listener who is killing the people who trust him and attempt to come to terms with the man behind the birthmark.


5. Print


The Seducer
by Madeline Hunter
I have had this series for some time

and decided to begin the series.
The hero is hard to like until further in the book.
I'll post a review with giveaway later this week.
Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003
THE SEDUCER
From the moment he arrived to rescue her, Diane Albret saw more in the darkly handsome, charismatic gentleman than just a guardian. Over the years that have passed since she first laid eyes on Daniel St. John, he had become, quite simply, the most dangerously irresistible man she could ever have imagined. Diane herself has changed from a bewildered schoolgirl, tragically orphaned, into a determined young woman of alluring charm and beauty. Now, leaving the cloistered life of her school, she has been brought to Daniel’s home with dreams of her own amid rumors and hints of scandal. But the legendary seducer seems to have other plans for Diane—and he possesses a secret about her lost past that he will do everything to keep: a secret that will put both their lives in jeopardy, even as the passion they have denied for so long threatens to break out of all control.



eTreasures Publishing New Release:
Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story
by Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood
Illustrated by Lynne Bendoly
Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story is based on a true story. Edmund, the main character, is an abused donkey who is the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm, a small rescue in central Georgia, home. Susan, Edmund’s care giver in the story, not only gives the shy donkey the time and patience he needs but gives him a new name every day of the week. The title takes on one of those nicknames she so lovingly calls him. As Susan starts to take in new critters, Edmund finds himself changing. As his name grows, so does his trust and acceptance. Edmund soon learns that he is not only needed but wanted. This confused, frightened donkey’s life changes as he becomes a hero, a babysitter, and a companion to the other residents at Evermay Farm.
Genre: Children's
Pages: 36, fully illustrated

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link:  A Ghost Hunt by Jack Horne
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.


Currently reading:
1. Audio


One Fine Day You're Gonna Die
Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 2
by Gail Bowen
I enjoyed the first episode and am looking forward to this second mystery.
Charlie D is back doing his late-night radio call-in show. It's Halloween--The Day of the Dead. Not a day filled with good memories for Charlie, but the show must go on. His studio guest this evening is Dr. Robin Harris, an arrogant and ambitious "expert in the arts of dying and grieving," who also seems to be auditioning for her own radio talk show. Charlie and Dr. Harris do not hit it off. Things go from bad to worse when the doctor's ex-lover, Gabe, goes on air to announce that he's about to end his life. Dr. Harris is entirely unsympathetic until she learns that Gabe also has her daughter Kali and plans to poison her too. It will take all of Charlie D's on-air skills to save both Gabe and Kali.


2. eBook/Kindle



The Temptations of Anna Jacobs
A Dangerous Liaisons Novel (InterMix)
by Robyn DeHart
I am enjoying these characters and the suspense.

Review and giveaway to post 4/22 as part of blog tour.
Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Love and justice…
When Drew Foster is released from prison, he doesn't much care about salvaging his soiled reputation. Though he's working undercover, everyone in Victorian London believes him guilty of the Jack the Ripper murders and that his brother paid for his "innocence."
Despite her genteel upbringing, Anna Jacobs is intent on finishing medical school and becoming a physician. Society's ridicule has never bothered her, but when her brother, the Yard's best detective, is scorned for letting Drew go, she confronts the one man who can set the record straight at a ball. She certainly doesn't count on the rogue being dashing and handsome, nor on him stealing a passionate kiss.

Anna's brazen contempt for his dangerous reputation captivates Drew, but he is harboring secrets that make him unfit to court any proper woman. As he finds himself an outsider among his colleagues at Scotland Yard, the feisty beauty offers up her medical knowledge to assist him on the case. But when the real killer returns to London to continue his reign of terror, can Anna find safety in Drew's arms?



3. eBook/Kindle


Fair Play: A Novel
by Deeanne Gist
I am looking forward to starting this sweet historical romance.  I selected this title at NetGalley.

Book Description
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair comes a historical love story about a lady doctor and a Texas Ranger who meet at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for taking on a man’s profession. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until Hunter Scott asks her to give it all up to become his wife.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who think they belong anywhere but home…

Despite their difference of opinion on the role of women, Hunter and Billy find a growing attraction between them—until Hunter discovers an abandoned baby in the corner of a White City exhibit. He and Billy team up to make sure this foundling isn’t left in the slums of Chicago with only the flea-riddled, garbage-infested streets for a playground. As they fight for the underprivileged children in the Nineteenth Ward, an entire Playground Movement is birthed. But when the Fair comes to an end, one of them will have to give up their dream.

Will Billy exchange her doctor’s shingle for the domesticated role of a southern wife, or will Hunter abandon the wide open spaces of home for a life in the “gray city,” a woman who insists on being the wage earner, and a group of ragamuffins who need more than a playground for breathing space?



4. Audible


After Dark: Ghost Hunters, Book 1
Written by: Jayne Castle
Narrated by: Joyce Bean
I had listened to a prior book later in the series
so I decided to try the first book.

Publisher's Summary
Life is tough these days for Lydia Smith, licensed para-archaeologist. Seriously stressed-out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb, she is obliged to work in Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, a very low-budget museum. She has a plan to get her career back on track, but it isn't going well. Stuff keeps happening.
Take the dead body that she discovered in the sarcophagus exhibit. Who needed that? Finding out that her new client, Emmett London, is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn't helping matters either. And that's just today's list of setbacks. Here in the shadows of the Dead City of Old Cadence, things don't really heat up until After Dark.
©2007 Jayne Castle; (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.


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

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on two non-fiction releases.

This month I have more review books than from my own TBR. :-) 
I read five, completed three reviews so I am currently at  four open. 

April Scheduled -
April 22 - Review & Feature - The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart 
  through AuthorPal/Penquin Group

NetGalley: I did pick up some more titles for April. 
Fair Play: A Novel by Deeanne Gist (reading)
Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
The Escape (Survivor's Club) by Mary Balogh

Authors
 Many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox (waiting on requests.)

From TBR Collection - The Seducer by Madeline Hunter (ready to review)
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 20, 2014

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!
I am looking forward to a wonderful service this morning with choir specials to celebrate Christ's Resurrection!
Blessings to my blog friends on this special day!



This is not one of the songs we are singing 
but it fits the occasion.


Verses for Today:
Mark 16:5-7
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "


Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice that paid the way for my forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Sharing Beyond Books #147 Comment Giveaway April 19, 2014

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

I was rather surprised but glad that most commenters can picture books in their minds. Several compared it to watching movies. Three of you said that you do not see pictures and Ricki said she only sees in abstract, which I think is like me. Linda noted that she has a terrible imagination and that is why she likes to read so much. I agree. :-)
~~~~
The Winner from SBB #146 comments is: #18 Alyn 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 #147 (One Question.)

Q1. (This Q is a good follow to last week's Q.) Liss asks: Have you ever dreamed with a scenario of an specific book you have read, if so, which one??
A:  I'm sure I have although I can't think of one. Considering that I tend to listen to audio books as I am falling asleep you would think I would dream more of the stories. 
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. Liss asks: Have you ever dreamed with a scenario of an specific book you have read, if so, which one??

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 April 26, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Audible Book Review: Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3 by: A. American

This is a good addition to this post apocalyptic series. I hope there will be more.
Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3
Written by: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine


Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
Series: Survivalist, Book 3
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:10-30-13
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
When society ceases to exist, who can you trust?
After the collapse of the nation's power grid, America is under martial law - and safety is an illusion. As violence erupts around him, Morgan Carter faces one of his most difficult decisions yet: whether to stay and defend his home, or move to a more isolated area, away from the prying eyes of the government. He and his family are hesitant to leave their beloved Lake County, but with increasingly suspicious activities happening in a nearby refugee camp, all signs point towards defecting. Morgan and his friends aren't going to leave without a fight, though - and they'll do anything to protect their freedoms.
From the author of the hit survivalist novels Going Home and Surviving Home, Escaping Home describes the struggle to live in a world with no rules, and how, sometimes, the strength of family is the only thing that can pull you through.
©2013 A. American (P)2013 Penguin Audio


Review:
At the end of Surviving Home, Book Two in this series, Morgan and his friends, Danny, a neighbor, Thad, his traveling companion, and Sarge and his three team members (met in Going Home, Book One), had done a reconnaissance of the local ‘government’ camp to see if they could tell how things were going. It wasn’t clear if those living in the camps were being helped or mistreated but Morgan and Thad were surprised to spot a young woman that looked like Jess, the girl they helped travel home to Ocala in Book One. Unfortunately the spies were spotted and had to pull out under gunfire.

Sarge is insisting that everyone start planning the move to an alternative location since the government troops most likely know where Morgan and Danny live. Morgan’s wife doesn’t like the idea although the girls think it might be a fun ‘camping adventure.’ The guys begin to make trips moving necessary and wanted equipment and supplies to the rugged cabins that Morgan showed them.

Many trips with a lot of gear draws some unwanted attention and the survivors face an ambush. Finally the attack on their own homes comes including the hostile presence of one of their old neighbors who insists they all move to the government facility.

Contact is made by a stranded Marine troop who offers some helpful intel to Sarge in exchange for needed supplies. These men have come across a man who survived a disastrous escape attempt from the government camp. Meanwhile, the slave-like conditions of the government camp are portrayed through Jess and her roommates.

This is the third installment in the series and seemed not quite as action packed as the prior books. There was still good action but I would say that this was a ‘preparing’ interlude to the next book. I was fully engaged by the story which read (listened) very quickly. I am looking forward to the next installment.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine continues to do a fine job of narration. He manages to portray different accents and personalities. I have to admit that I tend to get lost in the story and pay less attention to narration details. That indicates a good narrator to me and I think the narration has enhanced the series and made it an easy listen for me.

I purchased this third book with my Audible subscription so I could continue the series.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails