June Kindle Fire Giveaway June 16th to July 15th, 2014

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!

The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HDX (US Only – $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

Ends 7/15/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Mailbox Monday June 16, 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.

I received the second Audio Book in CD through AudioBook Jukebox, selected some NetGalley books, had a win book arrive, downloaded two free audios from SYNC, and many free ebooks.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Edge of Tomorrow
by Hiroshi Sakurazaka

First time on CD! The original novel that inspired the sci-fi blockbuster film starring Tom Cruise!

Received from Simon & Schuster Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.


I picked up these titles at NetGalley:

Inn at Last Chance 
by Hope Ramsay
I have enjoyed this 'small town' series so picked this up.

Take Back the Morning

by Evan Howard

"A spiritual thriller critically relevant to the crises of our time."

Won

I won this title from Nise'
Under The Boardwalk: When We Met by Susan Mallery (review and giveaway)

When We Met (Hqn)
by Susan Mallery

Thank you Nise'!

Purchased

None this week - I resisted! :-)

Free

I got this week's duo from SYNC YA for "those who fight":

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I reviewed this awesome book in 2012. 
I bet it is great in audio.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

with John & Elizabeth Sherrill

Plus I downloaded another 56 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? June 16, 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.

This was another busy week and I came home late three nights.
Reading was good.  I finished three books and started three . I post three reviews, one with giveaway, and the usual memes. :-)



I did visit some earlier in the week. I had hoped to visit again later but that didn't happen.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? June 9, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday June 9, 2014.

• Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Kristine Grayson; Paranormal  Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Audible Book Review: Earth Abides: The 60th Anniversary Edition by George R. Stewart; Classic Sci Fi; my rating 4.2.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 13, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 6/13/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #154 Comment Giveaway 6/14/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 6/21/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 15, 2014.

• Book Review and Giveaway: The Crossing, Last Cavaliers Series #1 by Gilbert Morris; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.25.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio

I've Got You Under My Skin
by Mary Higgins Clark
A good mystery - consistent MHC.
I'll post the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

The Trouble With Harry
by Katie MacAlister
A fun story. 
I'll post a review this week (with a giveaway).
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3

The Thirteenth Rose
Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 4
by Gail Bowen
I enjoyed this fourth story and 
will review this week
Click on book title for full description.

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
No new releases this week; hope to finish one, if not two this week.
Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
Current giveaway link:  Prairie Lily by Georgina Sellwood
Check for the new giveaway every two weeks.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Right Click, (Click Series)
by Lisa Becker
I have started this and am interested to know what happens with the characters.
I look forward to reading this for the author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3

Audio Book: Greenwillow
by B.J. Chute
This is a charming tale.
Received from Post Hypnotic Press Books for review.
"Everyone needs to visit Greenwillow and meet its wonderful inhabitants - from the two reverends with their 'two ways of walking before the Lord' to the irrepressible Micah who braves the devil."
A lyrical and timeless fable of the small country village Greenwlllow and its unforgettable inhabitants, and the poignant romance between young Gideon Briggs, who lives in the shadow of a family curse and is determined never to marry, and Dorrie, the orphan girl he loves. Perhaps B.J. Chute's best-known novel, a critic described Greenwillow as "a deeply moving, gently humorous and serenely wise story of young love and self-discovery." Greenwillow was brought to the Broadway stage in 1960, starring Anthony Perkins, with book by Lesser Samuels and Frank Loesser, and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser.
A bit of trivia. Anthony Perkins was simultaneously filming Alfred Hitchcock's classic shocker Psycho while rehearsing Greenwillow. Over the years, Perkins, in interviews, always said that his stand-in was used in the filming of the infamous shower scene, because he was rehearsing a Broadway show. Greenwillow was that show.

3. Print

Heading Home
by John Robinson
I have started this and like it so far. 
This was a book I won a while back.
The Bible makes it clear no one knows the day or the hour of Christ's return. But it doesn't say we won't know the month. Or the week. When every Christian simultaneously receives a message that Christ will return sometime in the coming week, the world is thrown into stark panic. Two old friends, hardened combat veterans from the closing days of the Vietnam War, set out on a suspenseful quest to redeem that time. What they don't know is that they and their entire church have been targeted for satanic annihilation.

I expect to start listening to Edge of Tomorrow by Hiroshi Sakurazaka later this week. I might start another ebook too but haven't decided which yet.

I am a up to date on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits: Slight delay as we have staff changes. We are now finalizing formatting for two ebook re-releases, as well as working on two non-fiction releases and a print release.

I am carrying books into June. I hope to get to a few of my own TBRs this month. :-) 
I completed three reviews  and have three new ones for this coming week.

June Scheduled -
6/16 Kindle Fire Giveaway Hop

NetGalley - May Picks to be read in June:
(reading)
Half a King by Joe Abercrombie (Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra)
SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf by Don Mann A SEAL Team Six Novel (Mulholland Books)

Authors
From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There is now a Devastor Humor Bundle available.
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
Edge of Tomorrow by Hiroshi Sakurazaka

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - Heading Home
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Book Review and Giveaway: The Crossing, Last Cavaliers Series #1 by Gilbert Morris

This includes a sweet romance in a good history of the early part of the Civil War.

The Crossing, Last Cavaliers Series #1
by Gilbert Morris

BARBOUR PUBLISHING / 2011 / PAPERBACK

• Series: The Last Cavaliers (Book 1)
• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books; 1 edition (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602609071

Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In the years leading up to the Civil War, widower Daniel Tremayne leaves his wife's Cheyenne family and returns to the Virginia Amish settlement where he grew up. He joins the church and remarries, but his son Yancy has trouble conforming to civilized life and the rules of the church. He continues roaming the woods and hunting. When the war begins, he jumps into the fray, despite the community's pacifism. He is soon a lieutenant under General Stonewall Jackson. When Yancy rescues a Union soldier at Bull Run, he meets the man's sister, Lorena. Will Yancy finally find a home for his heart?

Review:
Yancy and his father, Daniel, had continued to live on the outskirts of his mother’s Cheyenne tribe after her death. But at age 13 Yancy is rejected by the tribe as a half breed. Daniel moves them back to his roots, an Amish community in Shenandoah, Virginia. Yancy quickly learns to love his strong hearted, but gentle in spirit, grandmother but he struggles with the restrictions of the strict Amish rules. Daniel agrees that Yancy can take a handy-man job in town working for Anna Jackson, the wife of Major Thomas Jackson. Yancy meets Major Jackson at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where the Major teachers.

The job outside of the community creates a problem with the Amish leaders especially after Major Jackson includes Yancy in some field activities of racing and shooting. The military activities are particularly against the Amish views of nonviolence. Yancy is excited to be offered a scholarship to VMI and goes with the blessing of his father and grandmother rather than remain and cause difficulties due to being shunned.

The story follows Yancy’s training with four good friends. When Virginia joins the Confederacy the four move serve under Jackson, with Yancy and Peyton being favored couriers. The young men declare themselves to be the “Stonewall boys” after General Jackson earns that nickname. Yancy rescues a Union soldier and becomes friends with the family outside of Richmond. He begins to fall in love with the daughter of the family but she suffered through a deceitful relationship and is very wary of men.

The history is fascinating and I appreciated (“enjoyed” would be an awkward word) the Southern war strategies and scenes. This is not the first story of the Civil War that comments on the differences of the Confederacy and Union military leaders. There are hospital scenes as well which are interesting, although difficult.

There are circumstances and events that make one think regarding the various communities: Cheyenne, Amish, ‘English’ and military. Yancy struggles with his understanding and acceptance of faith but a stark event brings him to a point of commitment. The romance is sweet and natural and adds a softer element to the balance out the violence of war.

The story starts rather slowly as the characters are introduced and the settings developed. It isn’t until midway that the pace picks up. I did like the characters and I loved the historical elements. The romance is very nice too. The writing style is clear, straight-forward and easy to read.

Gilbert Morris has written many Christian fiction books. I have only read one before but I hope to read more. I own eight of the Seven Sleeper Series and plan to get the two missing and read them with my Grandson. The members of my ladies’ book club enjoyed this book too. I recommend it particularly for those who like Civil War history.

This was our Ladies' Book Club read for May. 

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my Print Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR
visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE or Goodreads Link (where more books are listed) and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for print.
* This contest will close 6 PM (Central) June 23, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after June 23, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 15, 2014 -- Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there! We have been thinking about, and missing, my father - Love you Dad.

Pastor’s message this morning was, of course, about fathers, particularly about our Heavenly Father. The message started in Luke 15 - the story of the Prodigal Son. Instead of focusing on the son, Pastor looked at the father and used him as an example of our Heavenly Father.
Just as the prodigal son’s father, our Heavenly Father gives, receives, restores and renews.
He gives love, salvation, mercy, healing and grace
He receives us into His household - His kingdom - as adopted children.
He restores us through forgiveness and redemption.
He renews us with healing and mercy by the Power of His Grace.

There is no perfect father on earth. There is none like Him. But Godly men are to reflect the Father, not just serve Him.

Thinking of Heavenly Father made me think of this:
Our Father Who Art in Heaven.

Psalm 103:13-14 NIV
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

I thank you, my Father Creator, for all the things you are to me: creator, provider, healer, banner, defender, deliverer, comforter, strength, peace, and above all, love. Help me to reflect Your nature through my own life.