Sunday, November 11, 2012

Added to the Bookshelf - 11/11/12







Sharing the week's bookish news and the books & bookish goodies that I've bought, borrowed, won, or been gifted and have added to my bookshelves over the past week!

(Inspired by Mailbox Monday, IMM, Clock Rewinders and the like)

Notes From Melissa:


Well, we've had a busy few weeks here in New Jersey.  First Sandy, then a small earthquake, and finally a lovely nor' easter.  I am so thankful that I was one of the lucky ones...no power for almost a week, but no major damage to our home or property.  Many others were no where near as fortunate and some people are still waiting for power to be restored.  My heart goes out to everyone suffering in the wake of this weather.

On the blogging front, I've been reading up a storm but still having reviewers block. I shared with you all my "Read: To Review" list in my  Ready, Set, Review-A-Thon! Post and I've since added one more book to the list which I finished this week. I plan to try to spend a good portion of today writing a few reviews and whittling down that list.  

My attention is happily turning now to more cheerful subjects. I just realized that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away.  We're hosting this year (we did Christmas last year) and I need to start planning a menu for about 16 people.  Any suggestions?  Any tried and true recipes that you plan to make?  

PS. If anyone likes free music and would like to help my husband and me win a trip to Las Vegas...please click on the guy with the guitar over there ----------->

You get a great free song and we get a point in the contest for the trip just for referring you.  I promise Joe Bonamassa's music is awesome...I've seen him in concert three times and even blogged about it here at my other site when I saw him with his other Project Supergroup Black Country Communion [comprising bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes(Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, guitarist and vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin's John Bonham's son), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Alice CooperBilly IdolYngwie MalmsteenKiss, and Alice In Chains, Dream Theater) ]

Recently on Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf:


Cover Reveals:


    What I Read Last Week:

    • Imperfect Bliss - Susan Fales-Hill
    • Ghost a la Mode - Sue Ann Jaffarian


    What I Am Reading Today:

    • The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken
    • The Night Strangers - Chris Bohjalian 
    I've only got about one more commutes worth of time left with The Night Strangers before I finish it...and to be honest...I don't know if I can wait until Monday to find out what happens!!

      Ongoing Giveaways:




      Added to the Bookshelf This Week:



      Title: The Beginning (Short Prequel to The Bridge)
      Author: Karen Kinsbury
      Format: Audiobook
      Source: Publisher 
      Find It: Goodreads     

      From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes this e-short prequel to her upcoming novel, The Bridge, shedding light on the love story behind the bookstore and how it came to be a place of hope and encouragement.









      Title: Blood, Smoke and Mirrors (Bad Witch #1)
      Author: Robyn Bachar
      Format: E-Book
      Source: Freebie
      Find It: Goodreads     

      Even a bad witch deserves a second chance.


      Wrongly accused of using her magic to harm, the closest Catherine Baker comes to helping others is serving their coffee. Life as an outcast is nothing new, thanks to her father’s reputation, but the injustice stings. Especially since the man she loved turned her in.


      Now the man has the gall to show up and suggest she become the next Titania? She’d rather wipe that charming grin off his face with a pot of hot java to the groin.


      Alexander Duquesne has never faltered in his duties as a guardian -- until now. The lingering guilt over Cat’s exile and the recent death of his best friend have shaken his dedication. With the murder of the old Titania, the faerie realm teeters on the brink of chaos. His new orders: keep Cat alive at all costs.


      Hunted by a powerful stranger intent on drawing her into an evil web, Cat reluctantly accepts Lex’s protection and the resurrected desire that comes along with it. Lex faces the fight of his life to keep her safe...and win her back. If they both survive.


      Warning: This book contains one tough and snarky witch, one gorgeous guardian, explicit blood drinking, magician sex, gratuitous violence against vampires and troublemaking Shakespearean faeries.


      Title: Still Life with Murder (Nell Sweeney Mysteries #1)
      Author: P.B. Ryan
      Format: E-Book
      Source: Freebie
      Find It: Goodreads 

      Young Irish immigrant Nell Sweeney is governess for the adopted daughter of wealthy Bostonians Viola and August Hewitt. Nell has become a favorite confidant of Viola. The pair had four grown sons, the eldest two thought to have died in Andersonville during the Civil War. A visit from a family friend changes all that with news that sets in motion a chain of events that has the potential to restore this torn family or to destroy it forever. 


      The news that August receives is that his eldest son Will is still very much alive, though he might not be for long--Will Hewitt sits in jail accused of having slashed a man's throat during an opium rage. Nell and Viola set out to prove Will's innocence and catch the true criminal.



      Title: Jade O'Reilly and the Ice Queen
      Author: Tamara Ward
      Format: E-Book (Short)
      Source: Won
      Find It: Goodreads      

      When a priceless vase disappears during the fanciest party of the year in the fictional town of Sweetwater, NC, it's up to private investigator Jade O'Reilly to recover the family heirloom. As Jade tracks down the vase, she juggles pressures from her ex-fiancĂ©, Dale Pickles, and hard-core co-worker Mack Blackmon. 






      That's all for me this week!
      What new goodies have arrived on your doorstep?
      Leave me a link in the comments and I'll come check out your post!

      28 comments:

      1. What did you think of Ghost a la Mode? I think I got that one as a Kindle freebie sometime this year. Thanks for the heads up about the Still Life with Murder freebie! Here’s my Sunday Post.

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        1. Ghost a la Mode was a quick fun read...much better than I had expected going into it!

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      2. Nice selection! Blood, Smoke and Mirrors sounded so good that I went to Amazon to download a copy to my Kindly only to find out that I already had it. I guess that is what happens when you have 738 unread books on your Kindle. Nonetheless, I still got new books this week. If you have a chance, check out my new books posts at Ms. Martin Teaches Media and Inside of a Dog. Happy reading!

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      3. You certainly are diverse. I always like seeing what you get every week. Some of these look really good.

        Grace

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      4. Great haul this week :) I checked out your Ready, Set, Review-a-thon post, and don't worry, you definitely aren't the only one who feels that way! I think I might have to join you, but I don't know how much I'll get done since I have 5 uni deadlines this month. I suppose anything is better than nothing though right?!

        I'm afraid I would have no idea where to start with Thanksgiving recipes (UK and all) but in terms of feeding for 16 people I think I'd probably go with either 1 big simple thing, or lots of smaller dishes that can be prepped in a variety of ways, just because I don't know how many my oven can feed! Good luck, have a great time :)

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      5. wow..im totally inspired by your post.....well organised and well prepared....u have a grt week ahead...

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      6. nd im following u on GFC as vb..

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      7. I got Blood Smoke too and I sure hope it will be good :)

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      8. Wow, what an eventful week! Glad to know you're okay. Enjoy your new books!

        Here's mine!

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      9. Thanks so much for stopping by. Glad your power is back. We were so lucky that we never lost ours. I haven't even thought about Thanksgiving yet. I'm always looking for the perfect stuffing recipe!
        I have Darkest Minds on my to-read pile -- look forward to your review!

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      10. Sandy, quake, and a storm... wow, I'm glad you made it through okay! And, I'm also happy that I'm not the only person in a bit of a reviewing funk... anyhow, great book haul this week, hope you enjoy them! Book Savvy Babe

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      11. I'm so sorry about Sandy! I'm glad you are doing okay. :D

        I haven't heard of any the books you've mentioned, but they look intriguing. I'll have to add them to my to-read list! Fantabulous haul!

        My Haul @ A Splatter of Ink's Inky Mailbox

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      12. My family has been sharing horror stories with us regarding Sandy and yes you were lucky. Nice book haul I am curious about The Beginning. We both picked up Blood Smoke and Mirror..lol Thanks for sharing your news on The Sunday Post
        I have a sweet potato casserole that is to die for, email me if you want the deets.

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      13. You've been through a lot with all these storms! Glad to hear that you did ok.

        I *think* I'm getting over my review slump. I'm definitely over my reading slump. I decided to just not worry about it anymore. If it's there it's there - if not oh well. lol Good luck on getting over yours.

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      14. Haven't heard of those but The Beginning looks great!

        My haul

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      15. Ah I love Chris Bohjalian's books - The Night Strangers is about the only one I haven't read so I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it.

        Sounds like you had a pretty hectic week - mother nature is certainly in a bad mood lately!

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      16. Ooooo, I totally ran and nabbed Blood, Smoke and Mirrors; it sounds awesome for a freebie!! I almost slightly freaked b/c I couldn't find it on my mobile Amazon.

        I'm glad you guys are okay and you were only without electricity for a week - it sounds like a warzone over there!! Hey, at least you go a ton of reading done!!!

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      17. I'm not familiar with any of the books you got this week.

        Are you enjoying Darkest Minds? I'm so excited to read this book. Looks so interesting!

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      18. Boy, you have had eventful week.. Nice haul. Happy reading.

        Thank you for stopping by
        Jenea @ Books Live Forever's The Sunday Post

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      19. Glad you're okay after Sandy!

        Blood, Smoke and Mirrors sounds good!

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      20. Looks like you will be busy!! Nice haul and I hope things are on the up and Mother Nature is having a rest!!

        Thanx for visiting my StS and Sunday Post!
        Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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      21. Blood SaM sounds good, hope you enjoy.
        Happy reading and have a great week!
        Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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      22. I'm glad Sandy wasn't worse for you. The Northeast has been slammed recently, it's nuts. Good luck hosting Thanksgiving!

        I see a few books in your haul I'll have to check out. As usual. You are so bad for my TBR pile. :D

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      23. New titles for me, enjoy!

        http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/11/mailbox-monday_12.html

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      24. I love and want all of them....ENJOY!!!

        Review for THE GIRL ON THE CLIFF going on at my blog if you want to stop by.

        Elizabeth
        Silver's Reviews
        http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2012/11/mailbox-monday-11122012.html

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      25. I'm glad that you've made it through Sandy without property damage and such. I'm so upset knowing that there are still so many left without power, water, and basic living necessities!!

        Looks like you have some great books added to your shelves!

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      26. My mom loved The Night Strangers. Sounds like you're loving it too. You received some good titles there. Hope you enjoy them.

        Have a great week!

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      27. Thanks for stopping by my IMM & SP. Glad you guys survived the storm. Looks like you got some good books this week.

        Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know

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