Month in Review: November 2011

My goal for November was...

To read 9-10 books...

What I read in November:

Reviews posted in November:

1. Shadowed in Silk by Christine Lindsay
2. Longing: Book Three in the Bailey Flanigan Series by Karen Kingsbury
3. Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills
4. Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love
5. The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy
6. Forbidden (The Books of Mortals) by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee
7. Protection for Hire by Camy Tang
8. Out of Control by Mary Connealy
9. Shadows From the Past by Ashley Dawn
10. Pirate of My Heart: A Novel by Jamie Carie

Challenges I signed up for in November:

Christmas in July, in December Challenge - This challenge starts tomorrow!
The 50 States Reading Challenge (2012)
Mount TBR Reading Challenge (2012)
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
New Author Challenge 2012
2012 Ebook Challenge
Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge 2012
2012 Christian Suspense Reading Challenge! - Hosted here
I'm also participating in the JUST FOR FUN Reading Challenge 2012 on Goodreads.



Blog awards received:

Thanks Casey!

My reading goal for December is...

To read 10-11 books!

Now it's your turn - How many books did you read in November?

Book Review: Pirate of My Heart by Jamie Carie

Pirate of My Heart: A Novel by Jamie Carie

About the book (from Goodreads):

When her doting father dies, Lady Kendra Townsend is given a choice: marry the horrid man of her cold, money-grubbing uncle's choosing or leave England to risk a new life in America with unknown relatives. Armed with the faith that God has a plan for her, Kendra boards a cargo ship and meets American sea captain Dorian Colburn. 


But the captain has been wounded by a woman before and guards his independent life. A swashbuckling man doesn't need an English heiress to make him slow down, feel again, or be challenged with questions about his faith-or so he thinks. It is not until Dorian must save Kendra from the dark forces surrounding her that he decides she may be worth the risk.

My rating: 

My thoughts:

Pirate of My Heart was such an adventurous and enjoyable read! With pirates, murder, kidnapping, and more, Pirate of My Heart was easy to read and hard to put down.

This is the first book I've read by Jamie Carie and I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed it! The entire book held my attention and once I started Pirate of My Heart, I read it almost non-stop.

The story had a lot of twists (some that I expected) and I think anyone who enjoys mysteries or suspense novels will enjoy Pirate of my Heart.

The only reason I'm not giving Pirate of My Heart 5 stars is because I feel it ended too soon (unless there is going to be a sequel) and should have at least had an epilogue.

I definitely recommend Pirate of My Heart - it was great and completely worth reading!

*I received a complimentary ARC copy from the publisher for my review as a part of FIRST Wild Card Tours. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done.*

Top Ten Books on My TBR List for Winter/Book Trailer of the Week (#9)

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's question is 'Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter'

1. Christmas Haven by Hope White

2. Mail-Order Christmas Brides by Jillian Hart  & Janet Tronstad

3. Christmas Bodyguard by Margaret Daley

4. The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

5. Holiday Illusion by Lynette Eason

6. The Christmas Rescue by Laura Scott

7. A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

8. Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

9. Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

10. Season of Glory by Ron & Janet Benrey

~~~~~~~

This week's book trailer is Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble!

What did you think of the trailer?

Review & Giveaway: 'Shadows From The Past' by Ashley Dawn

Shadows From the Past by Ashley Dawn


About the book:


“…It is the price you pay for choosing to be a cop. Your brother’s life…”


Those words haunt her dreams, and her waking moments. LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan cannot rest until she finds her brothers killer. Digging into the past always brings back unpleasant things: memories, guilt…the hit man. Now she is in a race against time to find the murderer before he finds her.


“Kill her. I don’t care how, and I don’t care where, but I want her dead now!” 


Someone was trying to kill his dead partner’s sister. FBI agent, Jordan Reiley will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. Even if it means going against her wishes; putting himself between her and the man who murdered her brother. 


Will God keep them alive long enough for them to find the truth? 


My rating: 


This was definitely a difficult book to put down! I absolutely loved it! It started out with such a suspenseful and dramatic scene that I, from page one, found myself caught up in the story!

Danger seems to be following Aurora Kavvan everywhere. Years ago, her brother was killed in front of her with her gun - Aurora still blames herself for his death. Now her partner was shot when they were on a stakeout and she would have been next had she not shot and killed the gunman! Someone is clearly after her, but will Aurora be able to stay alive in time to find the people behind these attacks? 


'Shadows from the Past' was so enjoyable to read. I loved the characters and their stories. Aurora and Jordan's love story was very sweet and I hope their story continues in the next 'Shadows' book! This book is also a lesson on forgiveness and how God is in control and nothing happens without it being His will.

If you don't particularly like suspense novels, than 'Shadows from the Past' probably isn't for you. But if you are like me and love reading suspenseful novels, then 'Shadows from the Past' is definitely for you! I loved it (as I've said already) and 100% recommend it!

A great story from a new-to-me author! I look forward to reading her next book 'Shadows of Suspicion'!


*I was provided an ebook copy for review purposes. The opinions I've expressed are my own.*

Amazon ~ Lightning Book Promotions

Complete Shadows From the Past Blog Tour List:


Nov. 21st- Charity @ The Giveaway Lady
Nov. 21st- Jacque @ Good Family Reads
Nov. 22nd- Jen @ BookwormCastle
Nov. 22nd- Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
Nov. 23rd- Paula @ The Phantom Paragrapher
Nov. 23rd- Jenna @ Coffee, Books,and Me
Nov. 24th- Molly @ Reviews By Molly
Nov. 24th- Shelia @ Sheela Deeth
Nov. 25th- Jodie @ Mom's Pace
Nov. 25th- Patricia @ It's Time To Read Mamaw
Nov. 26th- Michelle @ Healing Hearts
Nov. 26th- Karla @ Quiet Quilter's Blog
Nov. 27th- Linda @ Onedesertrose
Nov. 27th- Victor @ Vic's Media Room
Nov. 28th- Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Giveaway! One person will receive an eBook copy of Ashley's novel 'Shadows From The Past' via Smashwords.com. Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below (it might take a moment to load). Giveaway ends 12/13/11

Book Review: Out of Control by Mary Connealy

Out of Control by Mary Connealy

My rating:

Out of Control, book one in The Kincaid Brides series was absolutely fantastic! I LOVED it!

Out of Control starts off right away with suspense and mystery! Julie Gilliland enjoys exploring caves and studying fossils - with hopes of her findings being published. Then one day, while Julie is in "Seth's Cavern", someone moves the rope she uses to climb out - leaving her trapped in the cave! To make matters worse, someone else is in the cave with her...

When Rafe Kincaid visits "Seth's Cavern" he didn't plan on going in the cave, but that all changes when he hears someone scream - a woman who he ends up having to kiss!

I can't name one thing about Out of Control that I didn't like. I loved it so much and when it ended I was sad it was over! But this is a part of a series, so I'll be able to read more about these characters in book two of The Kincaid Brides series.

The romance story in Out of Control was wonderful to read and very well written! I liked how there were ups and downs in the story and it wasn't perfect from the beginning.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book because we learn more about Ethan - his character I found intriguing, especially how he smiles a lot!

I definitely recommend Out of Control if you enjoy a really good historical romance! Out of Control was a GREAT read!


*I received a complimentary copy for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion.*

 Read the excerpt:

Out of Control

Weekend Report (#6)

  <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Weekend%20Report"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa452/Love-Being-Vegan/powerpoint_001-Copy-2.jpg" /></a>

Weekend Report is a weekly meme hosted here - Christian Bookshelf Reviews!

The rules to participate are simple:

1. Create a post about what you've accomplished the previous week (i.e. books read, reviews posted, awards received, current giveaways, etc.) - feel free to use the button above.

2. Add the URL to your post to the linky below - if you don't have a blog, you can leave your responses in a comment below.

That's it. If you would like to follow my blog, that's appreciated, but not required.

Here's my 'Weekend Report'!

What I've read this week:

Reviews posted:

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee
Protection for Hire by Camy Tang

Blogger Interview:

@ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl

Challenges:

Christmas in July, in December Challenge

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 95:2 (KJV)
 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday! 


Here's a book I found that sounds like a great book to "spotlight" for Thanksgiving!

Once Upon a Thanksgiving: Season of Bounty\Home for Thanksgiving
by Linda Ford, Winnie Griggs