Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s muse:
This week’s musing — courtesy of http://cmashlovestoread.com — asks…
Do you have a system as to which books to read from your “requested review pile? What is it? What about when there are too many to read in a certain time frame? {apologies to those who don’t review}

My thoughts:
Before I answer my own question lol I want to share my reaction this morning when I saw today’s question. I booted up, got all my pages opened, and then went to copy/paste today’s muse. And thought, what a good question! lol  And because I had just grabbed my coffee mug, it took a few minutes to realize it was one of my questions I had submitted, don’t remember when, but there it was lol.  Thank you Miz B for choosing my question.

Over the past 3 years, I have tried different policies when it comes to “requested review books”.  When I first started to review, I would read novels in the order that I received them.  This worked out for a while but I then found myself going into “reading slumps” since  I’m a mood reader and felt that I was reading in a robotic fashion.  I then tried to guarantee 2-4 books per month that I would guarantee a review posting.  That also worked for a while.

Now, because of the tour companies, Partners In Crime Tours and Providence Book Promotions, and medical issues,  my reading time has been affected.  My first priority are books that are being toured, then the 2nd tier are for those publishers and publicists that I have been reviewing for since the beginning and the 3rd tier are the books that sit on my TBR shelves of my bookcase, but those that are chosen depending on my mood.

I receive many requests in a week and I know, and have been trying my hardest, to say that 2 letter word NO, but I don’t have it in me.  I read a synopsis, knowing it is something I would enjoy and I accept it adding it to my “TBR requested review shelves, which are the top 2 shelves of my bookcase, not counting what’s in my EReaders.  However, since I am now starting a 3rd shelf, I have been trying so hard to say NO, but I admit, I have an addiction to books.

What about you?  Do you have a review reading system?

October is being hosted by Parchment Girl

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Click on text for synopsis via IndieBound (I am an IndieBound Affiliate)

Monday:  Into The Dark by Stacy Green from Author for Partners In Crime Tours
Monday: Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult from Simon & Schuster
Thursday: The Walnut Tree by Charles Todd from Harper Collins
Thursday: Breaking The Code by Karen Fisher-Alaniz from Sourcebooks for WOW!
Friday: Villa Triste by Lucretia Grindle from The Hachette Book Group ARC

Hosting Blog

For the past month, I have been in a huge reading slump.  I even tried reading this week , with the incentive from Seasons Of Reading Read-A-Thon, and it did jump start my reading.  I think I have finally caught up with work and blog to-dos that I will be more focused for Dewey’s 24 hour Read-A-Thon.  I have my munchies ready (fruit, soy chips, rice cakes) and plan on parking myself in my recliner. I plan on taking a break every 2 hours to post my progress:

Start Time:  8am
Book:  Amanda’s Story by Brian O’Grady
Starting page #:  Kindle 38% ( I really wish that Kindle would do page numbers.  Anyone feel the same as I do on this?)
Murphy’s Law: Am getting a late start. Husband was on travel and this morning we were catching up over coffee.

Updates:

2pm:
Pages read:  up to 52%
Book:   Amanda’s Story
Comments: Very lat start.  Didn’t start reading until 10:45am.   Taking break to get lunch ready, move around and back to reading.

WRAP UP:
Pages read:    Kindle  55%
Book:  Amanda’s Story by Brian O’Grady
Comments:  Unfortunately, after getting a late start, and then the fact that I kept dozing off, I didn’t  make my goals of how much reading I had planned to do.  I was hoping to finish my current read but didn’t.  It never fails, whenever I sign up for a Read-A-Thon something always interferes  🙁

…..of Until My Soul Gets It Right by Karen Wojcik Berner

22 Stephanie Larison Leave a Blog Post Comment

An email has been sent to the winner and she has 48 hours to respond, with a mailing address, or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered.

Hosted by An Island Life

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
I used to love this time of year. I would do a heavy fall cleaning, each room top to bottom, throwing away items that weren’t used, windows, etc. A true nesting feeling. However, since the last 2 back operations, it makes it quite difficult to do but still have that feeling. Recently, due to breaking down my mother’s house and putting it on the market, some items were moved here so I have been emptying boxes, rearranging, etc. Which brings me to today’s question.

Do you do a top to bottom “fall cleaning”?  

Yes!!!!  It’s THAT Sandra Brown.  Sandra Brown, the renowned author, which I have been a fan of, for many years.  So when Caitlin, from The Hachette Book Group contacted me regarding reading, reviewing and hosting a showcase on Sandra Brown, it was an instant YES!!  It is my honor to have the opportunity of spotlighting Ms. Sandra Brown!!!!

SANDRA BROWN

Sandra Brown is the author of over sixty New York Times bestsellers, including, most recently, Lethal; Rainwater; Tough Customer; Smash Cut; Smoke Screen; Play Dirty; Ricochet; Chill Factor; White Hot; Hello, Darkness; The Crush; Envy; The Switch; The Alibi; Unspeakable; and Fat Tuesday, all of which jumped onto the New York Times list in the number one to five spots. There are over eighty million copies of Sandra Brown’s books in print worldwide and her work has been translated into thirty-four languages. In 2008, Brown was named Thriller Master by the International Thriller Writer’s Association, the organization’s top honor. She currently lives in Texas.
Visit Sandra Brown at her website here.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sandra Brown is again at the top of her game with a fast-paced mystery set in the high profile world of publishing and tabloid media. LOW PRESSURE (Grand Central Publishing Hardcover; September 18, 2012; $26.99) combines all the key elements that make Sandra Brown’s books must-reads.  The Associated Press has said “no one is better in the genre than Brown” and LOW PRESSURE proves them right. Combining an insider’s knowledge of publishing with her trademark dead-on characters and plot, Sandra Brown’s LOW PRESSURE is “a winner.”

Bellamy Lyston was only twelve years old when her older sister, Susan, was killed on a stormy Memorial Day. Bellamy’s fear of storms is a legacy of the tornado that destroyed the crime scene along with her memory of what really happened during the day’s most devastating moments.

Now, eighteen years later, Bellamy has written a sensational, bestselling novel based on Susan’s murder. Because the book was inspired by the tragic event that still pains her family, she published it under a pseudonym to protect them from unwanted publicity. But when an opportunistic reporter discovers that the book is based on fact, Bellamy’s identity is exposed along with the family scandal.

Moreover, Bellamy becomes the target of an unnamed assailant who either wants the truth about Susan’s murder to remain unknown or, even more threatening, is determined to get vengeance for a man wrongfully accused and punished.

In order to identify her stalker, Bellamy must confront the ghosts of her past, including Dent Carter, Susan’s wayward and reckless boyfriend – and an original suspect in the murder case. Dent, with this and other stains on his past, is intent on clearing his name, and he needs Bellamy’s sealed memory to do it. But her safeguarded recollections – once unlocked – pose new, unforeseen dangers.

As Bellamy delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Susan’s slaying, she discovers disturbing elements of the crime that call into question the people she holds most dear. Through haunted by partial memories and conflicted over her feelings for Dent, she won’t stop until she reveals Susan’s killer. That is, unless her killer strikes first….
Watch for me review in the near future.

THANKS TO CAITLIN, AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE
ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.  OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY.

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An email has been sent to the winner and she has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered!

If you are a frequent visitor, then you know that the ladies of WOW! Women On Writing, always have amazing female authors for us to meet.  Today is no exception.  So without further ado, Ms. Pamela King Cable!!

PAMELA KING CABLE

Pamela King Cable was born a coal miner’s granddaughter and raised by a tribe of wild Pentecostals and storytellers. She is an award-winning, multi-published author who loves to write about religion and spirituality with paranormal twists she unearths from her family’s history. Married to a megachurch ministry team member as a young adult, she attended years of megachurch services. Pamela studied creative writing at The University of Akron and Kent State University. She has taught at many writing conferences, and speaks to book clubs, women’s groups, national and local civic organizations, and at churches across the country. Nearly a decade in the writing, Televenge is her debut novel. She lives in Ohio with her husband, Michael, and is currently working on her next novel.
Visit Pamela at her Website, Blog, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Andie Oliver is a faithful woman—to God, to husband Joe, and to televangelist Calvin Artury, a Godfather in a Mafia of holy men. Joe works limitless hours on the megachurch ministry team, falling deeper into debauchery, while Andie attempts to free him from the Reverend’s control and far-reaching influence. Uncovering long-hidden truths—even murder—she loses everything, including her children. Andie fights for redemption for her family and herself, confronting the very definition of sin, and shaking the Christian evangelical world to its core. Evading ruthless adversaries who will go to any lengths to protect Reverend Artury, Andie battles the dark side of televangelism.

THANKS TO THE AUTHOR, PAMELA KING CABLE, I HAVE
ONE (1) PB COPY TO GIVE AWAY. OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.