It's Monday! What are you reading? (Nov 7, 2011)

What are you reading on Mondays is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey - You can hook up with the Mr. Linky there with your own post - but be sure and let me know what you are reading too!  I have some new giveaways going on, so be sure to check the right sidebar!  And in other news, my little girl had her little girl on Friday.  She weighed in at 7lbs 3oz and 20 1/2" long.  Watch for pictures later this week!

Currently reading:

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

Books up this week:

Breaking the Code by Karen Fisher-Alaniz

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

Promissory Payback by Laurel Dewey

Unrevealed by Laurel Dewey

Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

Bathroom Book:

Good Graces by Lesley Kagen

Books finished last week:

Collecting Innocents by CK Webb

Books reviewed last week:

The Comforts of Home by Jodi Thomas

Love out Loud by Joyce Meyer

Until next week ----  Ready - Set - Read!

It's Halloween! What are you reading? (Oct 31, 2011)

I have to start out with some Halloween pictures for this post today - enjoy!

What are you reading on Mondays is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey - You can hook up with the Mr. Linky there with your own post - but be sure and let me know what you are reading too!  I have some new giveaways going on, so be sure to check the right sidebar!  I am going to try a new format and new reading schedule this month.  I will let you know how it goes.

Currently reading:

Collecting Innocents by CK Webb (on Nook)

Books up this week:

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

Breaking the Code by Karen Fisher-Alaniz

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

Promissory Payback by Laurel Dewey

Unrevealed by Laurel Dewey

Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

Bathroom Book:

Good Graces by Lesley Kagen

Books finished last week:

The Comforts of Home by Jodi Thomas

The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman

Disrupted Lives by Brenda Youngerman

Did I review anything last week?

Nope - just checked - not a thing. . .

Until next week ----  Ready - Set - Read!



Mailbox Monday (Oct 10, 2011)

 Mailbox Monday's host for October is Savvy Verse and Wit. In My Mailbox is hosted Sundays at The Story Siren. Please visit these posts and take a look at what packages everybody else got this week! 

 

 

 

Remembering Christmas

by Dan Walsh

 

Rick Denton lives his life on his terms.  He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one.  So when his mother calls begging him to come home after his stepfather has an aneurysm, Rick is more than a little reluctant.  What was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and dealing with the homeless guy who keeps hanging around the store.  The one bright spot is the lovely and intriguing young woman who works at his side each day.

 

As Christmas nears, Rick's old life beckons, the hurts from his past loom large, and the decisions he makes will determine more than just where he spends Christmas Eve.

 

 

Skyjack: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper

by Geoffrey Gray

 

With exclusive access to confidential FBI files and new leads, Geoffrey Gray reopens one of the great unsolved criminal cases of the twentieth century:  the puzzling story of "D.B. Cooper," the only skyjacker never to be caught by authorities.

 

Called the Robin Hood of the Sky, Cooper hijacked and threatened to blow up a domestic airliner in the fall of 1971, extorted $200,000 and parachutes from its owner, Northwest Orient, then leaped from the airborne jet with more than twenty pounds of cash strapped to his body.  He was never seen again -- dead or alive. Four decades later, Cooper is the Bigfoot of law enforcement, evading one of the most extensive and costly American manhunts of the twentieth century   Over the years he (or was it she?) has developed an obsessive cult following.  Countless lives have been destroyed in the pursuit of the hijacker's identity, and those who get too close to the case claim it is cursed.

 

Now on the fortieth anniversary of Cooper's daring jump.  Skyjack separates myth from fact, and this definitive work and journey attempts to answer the question, once and for all:  Who was D.B. Cooper?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Double Death on the Black Isle

by A.D. Scott

 

Two women, two murders. . . a stunning and suspenseful story of families, betrayal, and a community divided.

 

Nothing is ever quite at peace on Scotland's Black Isle -- the Traveling people are forever at odds with the locals, the fishermen have nothing in common with the farmers, and the villagers have no connection with the town.  But when two deaths occur on the same day, involving the same families from the same estate -- the Black Isle seems as forbidding as its name.

 

Joanne Ross, typist at the Highland Gazette, is torn whether to take on the plum task of reporting on these murders -- after all, the woman at the center of both crimes is one of her closest friends.  Joanne knows the story could be her big break, and for a woman in the mid-1950s -- a single mother, no less -- good work is hard to come by.

 

But the investigation by the staff on the Gazette reveals secrets that will forever change this quiet, remote part of the Highlands.  The ancient feudal order is crumbling, loyalties are tested, friendships torn apart, and the sublime beauty of the landscape will never seem peaceful again.

 

 

 

What books came home to you this week?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (April 18, 2011)

What are you reading on Mondays is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey - You can hook up with the Mr. Linky there with your own post - but be sure and let me know what you are reading too! 


Currently Reading:  
Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey

Next Up:
The Silenced: A Novel by Brett Battles
Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend by Linda Wisdom
Reading Lips: A Memoir of Kisses by Claudia Sternback


E-Book:
Sudden Moves: A Young Adult Mystery by Kelli Sue Landon

Next E-Books up:
The Witches Lottery (Enchanted Island Series) by Krystal McLaughlin
Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford
Deadly Errors by Allen Wyler


Bathroom Book:
Surrender the Dark by L.A. Banks


Audio Book
One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, No. 1) by Janet Evanovich

Reviewed Last Week:
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh
So Close the Hand of Death by J.T. Ellison
Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas


Waiting for Reviews:
Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy)by Lauren DeStefano

Children's Books waiting for Review: (I really need to get these reviewed!)
Little Star by Anthony DeStefano
Pearl's Wisdom by Auntie LuLu
Bug Meets His Friend (Bug's Adventure Series) by K.M. Groshek
Good Night, Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann

GIVEAWAYS:
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer - ends May 7
Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas - ends May 7
In Zanesville by Jo Ann Beard - ends April 28
Song of the Silk Road by Mingmei Yip - ends April 27

Upcoming giveaways:
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman
Redeemer by Jeffrey S. Williams
Daddy's Little Squirrel by Kayla Shurley Davidson

READY - SET - READ!

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh (Book Review)

Title: The Deepest Waters
Author: Dan Walsh
Publisher: Revell


“I’ve written you a note, inside the pouch,” John yelled. “Don’t read it…unless you hear word that I - that I did not…” Tears poured down his cheeks. He looked away. “John!” she screamed. “I must go back…”


Award-wining author Dan Walsh brings a powerful love story reminiscent of the Titanic to readers. The Deepest Waters (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1980-7, April 2011, $14.99) is a masterpiece of historical fiction set in 1857 when newlyweds John and Laura Foster set sail on the SS Vandervere for their honeymoon. Soon, their fairytale becomes a nightmare when a hurricane causes the ship to sink into the depths of the Atlantic. John and Laura are separated not knowing if they will ever see each other again.


Walsh was inspired to write The Deepest Waters by the true story of the sinking of a paddle-wheel steamship laden with gold from San Francisco, California. The SS Central America, bound for New York City ran into a hurricane which sealed her fate around September 11, 1857.


Walsh takes readers on a journey through troubled waters as they discover the treasure hidden in The Deepest Waters, a story full of action and suspense. Through the Fosters, Walsh creates an amazing love story about what happens when miracles do come true.

My thoughts:  If you like a good love story, then you must read this book.  I can't tell you how many times I cried throughout this story.  It progresses as it rotates between Laura, John, and John's family in New York.  But it isn't just a love story.

Through Micah and his dog Crabby we learn to have joy in the present and not worry about things that haven't happened yet.  Through Laura we learn about faith and strength to face the unknown.  Through John we learn about hope and the strength of love and through his family we learn about forgiveness and acceptance. There is a strong thread running throughout the book about God and things happening according to His time and His plan.

This is my first book by Dan Walsh.  He also wrote The Unfinished Gift and The Homecoming.  He is definitely going on my list of authors to watch for!

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Donna at Revell in exchange for my review during this Revell Blog Tour.~

Here are what some other authors had to say:


"The Deepest Waters is a story that's been waiting to be told for 150 years. What a blessing Dan Walsh is the one to tell it. It is inspirational, spiritual, and miraculous--a hopeful message when the world needs it most."--Jason F. Wright, New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters


“A delightful story that took me back to an era when men were gallant and women were virtuous. Dan Walsh fully immersed me in a fascinating world from 1857 and left me longing for the movie.” –James L. Rubart, Bestselling author of Rooms and Book of Days

Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Deepest Waters, The: A Novel
Publisher/Publication Date: Revell Books, April 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1980-7
300 pages

It's Monday! What are you reading? (April 11, 2011)

What are you reading on Mondays is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey - You can hook up with the Mr. Linky there with your own post - but be sure and let me know what you are reading too! 


Currently Reading:  
So Close the Hand of Death (Taylor Jackson)by J.T. Ellison

Next Up:
Legacy by Jeanette Baker
The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy
The Silenced: A Novel by Brett Battles


E-Book:
Sudden Moves: A Young Adult Mystery by Kelli Sue Landon

Next E-Books up:
The Witches Lottery (Enchanted Island Series) by Krystal McLaughlin
Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford
Deadly Errors by Allen Wyler


Bathroom Book:
Surrender the Dark by L.A. Banks


Audio Book
One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, No. 1) by Janet Evanovich

Reviewed Last Week:

Song of the Silk Road by Mingmei Yip

Waiting for Reviews:
Deepest Waters, The: A Novel by Dan Walsh
Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy)by Lauren DeStefano
Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas

Children's Books waiting for Review:
Little Star by Anthony DeStefano
Pearl's Wisdom by Auntie LuLu
Bug Meets His Friend (Bug's Adventure Series) by K.M. Groshek
Good Night, Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann

GIVEAWAYS:
In Zanesville by Jo Ann Beard - ends April 28
Song of the Silk Road by Mingmei Yip - ends April 27

Upcoming giveaways:
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman
Redeemer by Jeffrey S. Williams
Daddy's Little Squirrel by Kayla Shurley Davidson
Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas

READY - SET - READ!

Readathon Wrap-up

Ok - I must admit that I fell asleep reading around 1am this morning.  That would have been about hour 18 where I am.  When I woke back up at 4, it was all I could do to go up to bed. But I did keep much better statistics than in previous readathons!

I read for a total of 9.5 hours - reading 705 pages, which means I read about 1.25 pages a minute.  I spent 6.75 hours doing mini challenges and visiting other blogs and took 2 big breaks - one for our birthday celebrations and one for dinner which was the last 1.5 hours - totalling 17.75 hours that I was awake during this readathon.

I finished 2 books - Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas and Wither by Lauren DeStefano.  I am almost done with book 3 - The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh.  You can watch for my reviews early next week.

If you get a chance - take a guess at my Reading Puzzle post.  I didn't have any one guess what books the pictures were describing.  I will post the answers at the end of this one - so go ahead - go over there now and then come back and see if you were right.

Here is the final mini-challenge that was posted in hour 24

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Ummm - the hour I fell asleep... Hour 18


2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Not really - my interests change depending on my mood.  I really enjoyed Wither by Lauren DeStefano this year though.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
I thought the hosts did a great job this year.  The only thing I could think of, is maybe make a list of what challenges are going to be held during which hours, and how long they will be open - because I missed one that was only open one hour that I would have liked to participate in.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
Love the idea of a huge list of books read.

5. How many books did you read?
2.5

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
1/2 of The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

8. Which did you enjoy least?
N/A - they were all enjoyable!

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
N/A

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
I am very likely to participate next year - probably still as only a reader though.

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon is Almost Here!

Well, the read-a-thon starts in about 16 hours - Yay!  My kids are all accounted for tomorrow and my husband knows to keep himself busy. . .  I declared earlier this week that I would be on mom strike starting tomorrow morning for 24 hours.  My daughters thought that was cool (interpret - no mom to interfere with their plans. . .) and my son adores his Aunt Kim so is always very excited to spend time at her house. 

I went to the store today and bought some snacks for tomorrow - some healthy (grapes, strawberries), some not-so-much (3 Musketeers, Cadbury Eggs) and some inbetween (Pretzels and Chip Dip, Wheat Thins).  As for actual meals - I am leaving that up to my husband - hopefully he will make sure that I get some real nourishment.  I also have plenty of tea, coffee, soda and I guess I should throw some water in there as well - Maybe I will make some sweet tea.

As for list of books - I have added a list below - but I am going to keep it kind of loose this year.  These are all review books - some are past due so I am going to concentrate on those.  I plan to throw in some kids books that I am reviewing to give me a sense of accomplishment.  I also am going to be reading some books on my Nook.  Hopefully this will keep it mixed up enough.  We are finally supposed to have a nice day tomorrow so I will get to sit in my three-season room and read!  Might even sit outside if it gets nice enough, who knows?

Is anybody else participating in the Read-a-thon?  Go here for more information.  Hope to see you all reading tomorrow!

Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas (currently reading)
The Silenced by Brett Battles
Cold Wind by C.J. Box
So Close the Hands of Death by J.T. Ellison
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh
Reading Lips by Claudia Sternbach
Alice in Zombieland
Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz
Stay by Deb Caletti
Wither by Lauren Destefano
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Code of Justice by Liz Johnson
Fur and Feathers
Goodnight, Little Sea Otter
The Witches Lottery by Krystal McLaughlin
Turned by Morgan Rice
Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo

Well, that should give me a good variety to choose from - something for whatever mood I am in - Now that I have taken the time to make this list - I see myself choosing something completely different   See you!