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Sunday, November 30, 2014

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 1, 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 very relaxing week staying in bed until at least 9am for four mornings in a row!  Thanksgiving was lovely with family. This week has warmed up even though we still have a fire going.

Reading was enjoyable. I finished three books and posted three review, two with giveaways. I also posted a special Forever Giveaway post and a winner's post as well as all the usual memes. 

I did get to visit a good group of sites last week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle



Sugar's Twice as Sweet: Sugar, Georgia: Book 1
by Marina Adair 
I enjoyed this. The review and giveaways are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle


Last Chance Family
by Hope Ramsay
Forever Romance
This was delightful!
The Author feature with giveaway
and review are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.



3. Audible (and Kindle)


Free: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas
Written by: Molly Harper
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
This is fun and sassy. I'll post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.






Currently reading:
1. Print


We Are The Destroyers (We Are***Are We Book 1) 
by D. K. Lindler
I am down to the last 10% and 
wondering how this sci fi will end.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio


Snowbeard the Pirate and the Naughty List
by Chip Huddleston
This sounds like fun and the beginning sound is great - reminiscent of The Night Before Christmas.
A funny, whimsical story for older children and adults, it is about Santa's younger brother who runs away to Florida and becomes a pirate.



3. eBook/Kindle


Home for the Holidays
A Cavanaugh Island Novella
by Rochelle Alers
I am reading this for Review and
Launch Day Blitz on 12/3/14.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
This Christmas novella is set in charming, Sanctuary Cove featuring popular characters from Rochelle Alers' bestselling small-town, Cavanaugh Island contemporary romance series.

Love is always in season.
There's no place like home for the holidays, especially for divorced pastry chef Iris Nelson. After escaping an abusive marriage, she's found peace on charming Cavanaugh Island. As the holiday approaches, Iris looks forward to spending it with her newfound best friend's family . . . and their very handsome visitor.
On leave from Afghanistan, Army Master Sergeant Collier Ward is excited to be reunited with his family for Christmas. But the best gift of all may be this warm, beautiful stranger who joins them for the festivities. With his visit coming to an end, Collier can't deny the heat smoldering between them. Yet Iris can't help but wonder if it's just the glow of the season-and one night of passion-or a true miracle of love that will change their lives forever . . .



4. eBook/Kindle


Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah
Handel (Author), Albert L. Blackwell (Foreword)
I have started this as a daily reading but I will review it in a week or so.
Westminster John Knox Press
Handel's Messiah is one of the most beloved musical works of the western world, playing an especially sentimental role in many people's Christmas traditions. The libretto of the work, taken directly from the King James text of fourteen books of the Bible, has turned many otherwise forgettable phrases into memorable, singable, cherished lines of Scripture.
This gift-worthy book will delight and inspire classical music fans and those for whom Messiah is a beloved Christmas tradition with essays exploring the theological, historical, and pastoral implications of the Scriptures that make up Handel's Messiah.
Forty reflections journey in order through the oratorio, taking the reader deeper into less-often studied texts like Malachi 3:3 and bringing new light to oft-recited passages like Luke 2:9-14. Each reflection offers the libretto from Messiah, the same passage in NRSV, and a brief commentary on the text, written by a respected scholar or pastor. Readers can peruse the book at leisure or examine one reflection per day throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.



5. eBook/Kindle


Seducing the Ruthless Rogue
(The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2)
by Tammy Jo Burns

The premise on this caught my interest.
I will post tour review on December 10.
Book Description

As Director of The War Office, Stuart McKenzie, has proven himself capable of making difficult decisions in times of crisis and keeping government secrets safe. When he walks in on someone ransacking his study he quickly moves to apprehend them, only to be tossed on his back as the burglar escapes into the night.
Cassie’s father has become a pawn in the fight against Napoleon. When the enemy kidnaps him, she will do anything it takes to get him back – including stealing government secrets from Stuart McKenzie, the Director of the War Office.
When Cassie is caught, she reluctantly agrees to Mack’s assistance as there is something far more sinister going on. As Mack embarks on his mission, he will find that enemies are often closer than one would think and that sometimes your ally will come in the least likely form. When passion erupts between Mack and Cassie, they find their lives forever altered. But just as they believe their lives to be free of danger, a new threat is lurking about, promising to rip their happiness away from them. Will they be able to trust each other enough to defeat this new threat, or will they be torn apart for all eternity?


I expect I will pick-up an audio but not sure which yet.

I am 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.


I still have Sci Fi titles I look forward to. I have two reviews pending so I am up to date.
I have many Christmas titles I would like to read but I am guessing I will not have time for all of them. 

Decenber Scheduled:
12/3 Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers; tour review and GW.
12/10 Seducing the Ruthless Rogue (The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2) by Tammy Jo Burns; tour review.
12/12 Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions Review



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/selected two review titles.
I purchased two Audible books and three $.99 kindle titles this week as well as getting many free kindle titles.

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received an audio book from the author:


Snowbeard the Pirate and the Naughty List
by Chip Huddleston
This sounds like a fun spinoff from The Night Before Christmas.



I was interested in this YA Dystopian, sci fi Series.
The author was nice to send me the first book.
by Lynne Stringer






Won
None

Purchased
I purchased two Audible titles with my November subscription (purchase four in November and you get a $10.00 credit):
Seventh Grave and No Body
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
I have enjoyed this series so far!

The Empire's Corps
Written by: Christopher G. Nuttall
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
It was hard to pick from many Sci Fis but this is the one I got this time.


I purchased three kindle titles for $.99 -- just couldn't resist these bundles.

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories To Spice Up The Holidays
Dale Mayer, H.D. Thomson, Chantel Rhondeau, Leslie Lynch, Sandy Loyd, Barbara Lohr, Marcia James, Carolyn Hughey, Tallulah Grace, Rachelle Ayala

Claire Delacroix, Deborah Cooke


Mistletoe Kisses: inspirational romance boxed set (Inspy Kisses Book 3)
Janet Tronstad, Lisa Mondello, Lenora Worth, Margaret Daley, Camille Elliot, Pamela Tracy, Lacy Williams, Cheryl Wyatt

Free

Over the past two weeks I downloaded another 52 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 30, 2014

This is the First Sunday in Advent: which is the beginning of the new church year and the time when we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ and anticipate his second coming. The first Sunday reminds us of the promise of Light and Hope.

Our young, interim youth pastor is preparing to leave for the mission field in eleven days. He shared with us a bit of his preparations, duties and expectations. We will be praying for him as he ministers through a lifestyle showing compassion in a land that does not have freedom to openly share the word of God.

Our Pastor gave a nice sermon entitled: Jesus' Name Brings Hope. The message focused on Isaiah 8 and 9 and concluded with 1 John 1:1-5. These passages speak of people walking in darkness who have seen a great light and recognizing God as life and light.

I have begun reading Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah for review.  There are forty chapters that provide daily reading through the Twelfth day of Christmas. It is appropriate to run beyond Christmas since it the work covers Christ's Birth and its Foretelling, Christ's Passion and Resurrection and Christ's Eternal Reign. Many of us are familiar with certain hymns from Handel's Messiah but this is the first time I have studied its words. As the author notes, one of the things we recognize (sometimes without even realizing it) in Handel's powerful work is the "tonal painting".

The first chapter covers the beginning songs: Comfort Ye My People and Every Valley. There were several stirring tenor videos but I had thought to share a lovely video with the words but it did not permit embedding. If anyone would like to sit back and enjoy the moving music and words please visit this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlIThmTNg9w

Instead I will share a video of the song our choir sang this morning. We sang a cantata version as it is part of the program we will sing in two weeks. It is a perfect song to begin Advent:
Let There Be Light!

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 40:5 (NIV)
5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Lord, I pray that I will always look to You to light my path. Also, please let Your light shine through me so others may come to know You.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Sharing Beyond Books #179 Comment Giveaway 11/29/2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

We  had a lovely Thanksgiving lunch with my hubby cooking too much as always. A great turkey, two kinds of stuffing, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, baked brussel sprouts, cauliflower with cheese sauce, carrots and home baked honey oat bread. All that and there were only seven of us. :-)  The kids got to take home most of the left overs.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Only two out of fifteen are not guilty of cover 'snobbery'! Several mentioned that they almost missed good stories and series which had bad covers and others said they would still buy their fav author's titles even with bad covers.

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The Winner from SBB #178 comments is: #1 MaryP 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 #179 (One Question.)

Q1. My question to start December:  Do you watch Hallmark/Christmas/ Holiday movies?? Do you have a Favorite?
A: We watch and tape MANY Hallmark movies. They are some of our favorites even though it might seem like overkill. It's a good thing these movies suit my sensitive hubby. :-)  My DH says his favorite is the original Christmas Carol. I like several - hard to pick one but I do like The Very Merry Mix-Up, The Christmas Card and I really liked When Angels Come to Town which I saw for the first time last week. It really focuses on the true meaning of Christmas.
Image found at Lasso the Moon.

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.

Comments for November were contributed by Marjorie, bn100, nrlymrtl and Jess1: Winner: #3 nrlymrtl

Your turn to share:

Q1. Do you watch Hallmark/Christmas/ Holiday movies?? Do you have a Favorite?

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 December 6, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

A Group of Winners from September through November!

I apologize I haven't been listing winners here although they are listed on the Giveaway page and in the sidebar for a week or so after announced.
Some of these are tour wins so you will check the rafflecopter announcements on the giveaway posts.

***ALL WINNERS at MBS: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form AND if you want you can email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)]

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

Giveaway Ended November 18, 2014

Tour GiveawayPeace & Goodwill: a contemporary romance, a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4) by Lee Strauss
Tour Rafflecopter Winner:Betul E

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Giveaway Ended November 16, 2014

Tour GiveawayHilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery 
See Rafflecopter for winners.

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Giveaway Ended November 14, 2014

eBook GiveawayPushing the Limit (Alpha Ops) 
***WINNER: ERINF

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Giveaway Ended November 12 and 14, 2014

Two GiveawaysSealing the Deal (The Ladies Who Lunch)
See Rafflecopter for 10 winners.
MBS Blog eBook ***WINNER: BN100

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Giveaway Ended November 3, 2014

Tour Giveaway: Unleashed (Love to the Rescue) 
Winners: Check Rafflecopter

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Giveaway Ended October 28, 2014

Blog Tour Feature and Giveaway: The Castle Blues Quake by Linda Covella
Check Rafflecopter for winner.


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Print GiveawaySeattle Cinderella: (Romancing America) by Gail Sattler
***WINNER:  SUE F


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Giveaway Ended October 11, 2014

Forever Romance Holiday Heat Week Release
 Celebration with Giveaway.  
***Winner : SANDY X


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Giveaway Ended September 20, 2014



Print Book Giveaway: Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1) by Kate Dacus;  
***WINNER:  BOOKLADY


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Giveaway Ended September 1, 2014

In Bed with a Rogue Spotlight Tour Giveaway
Check Rafflecopter for Winner.


Thank you to the authors and publishers who have sponsored these giveaways and thank you to blog followers who participate!

Fun - #4EvrBookBoyfriend - and a Special Giveaway Pack From @ForeverRomance - #FaLaLaForever


First - Take the Quiz and find out who your best book boyfriend might be.
Take the quiz and share your results on social media with #4EvrBookBoyfriend. Don't forget to tag @ForeverRomance!  http://www.buzzfeed.com/gcpforever/whos-your-perfect-book-boyfriend-14uds


Then enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a great Holiday bundle of books!


GIVEAWAY:
Through December 19, 2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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