In My Mailbox…

The mailbox was working over time this week.  I received some pretty exciting reads and I am super excited to share them here:

I received several audio books for review this week – which I am so excited about!  I have become a big audio fan since summer and these are going to be fantastic to listen to this winter:

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh

The Concise King Martin Luther King Jr

The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson

I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

The Imperial Cruise by James Bradley

Cleaving by Julie Powell

Books for review:

Penguin Luck by Kay Mupetson

The Green Bronze Mirror by Lynne Ellison

The One Day Way is a blog tour in January with a giveaway!

A Rainbow In The Night by Dominique Lapierre

I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

Horrid Henry’s Christmas by Francesca Simon

Mrs. Claus Explains It All by Elsbeth Claus

Wins and Surprises:

Pollen Ring Of Harmony by Williams came from a win at J Kaye’s Blog

The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel sent from my friend Esme just so I could enjoy this read!  (I know, so sweet right?)

Santa In A Stetson and Sugar Cookie Murder I received at my book club during our gift exchange

Poisoned Palms by Buckingham was part of my Santa swap and came from a great new blog for me -Hawaii Book Blog!

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown was a win from the Readathon  (my bad – I forgot I had won this and had bought a copy at Amazon…. I guess this may be a New Years Giveaway now that I have two….)

Books Purchased:

The Disreputable History Of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart was my purchase today at Barnes and Noble… I just couldnt leave empty handed and this looks really good.


So that’s what came in my home this week.  How about you?  Link up to this great meme at Kristi at Story Siren’s Blog… I would love to see what came in your mailbox!



In My Mailbox

What an extremely super fab (yes I said super fab) week for the mailbox! A few long awaited treasures made their appearance this week.  I am so excited I have to share with you right now!  Right now!!  🙂

Thank you to Kristi at Story Siren for this wonderful weekly meme!

Books To Review

The Magicians Book by Laura Miller: Check out that cover!  This book is about Laura’s love hate relationship with the Chronicles of Narnia.  I am so pro Narnia and CS Lewis, I am curious to read what this is all about.  If you are curious too, I have copies of this book to giveaway – enter here!


Primal by Mark Batterson: LOVE Batterson!  I have read all of his books and this is one I have waited for anxiously as well.  Look for this tour here on December 15.


American Rust by Phillip Meyer: A novel on the restlessness of the Great Depression this books subject matter caught hold of my heart and hasn’t let go.  A beautiful hard cover too!


Thirsty by Tracey Bateman: I have read the reviews of this book and I am found so curious I can hardly stand it!  A vampire style book written by a Christian author…. cant wait to sink my teeth into it!  😉


The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy by Gina Collia-Suzuki: When Gina (the author) approached me to read her book I was unsure what this was about.  However reading the brief bit on line I had to say yes so I could know about Benjamin and his wonderful demise.

A Blue and Gray Christmas by Joan Medlicott: YAY!  A Christmas read thanks to Pocket books!


Conflicts With Interest by Michael Ruddy: Its a little about gambling… a little about business… a little about lawsuits… and a lot about mystery.  Why oh why do I always seem to be hungry for a mystery?  I don’t know but I am eager to see if this book can satisfy that hunger.


Collision of Evil by John LeBeau: Another fabulous looking mystery that leaves me with visions of conspiracy just by reading the jacket cover!


Books I won

Saffron Dreams by Shaila Abdullah: Can you hear me squeal with excitement?  This book has been on my wish list and then I won it!!!  It came directly from the author and it is signed!


Always My Brother by Jean Reagan: Natasha at Maw Books reviewed this lovely book and interviewed author Jean Reagan.  There was a contest to win a signed copy of this book and I was one of the winners.  I am so excited to review this book and then I am going to donate it to my grade school here in Brainerd, Harrison Elementary.

7th Heaven by James Patterson: Oh yes – I am so into Patterson these days!  I won this one and will get tothis after the holidays….


Book Purchases

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown: I had to do some on line shopping this week and purchased this one off my wish list as a little treat to myself!  I loved Davinchi Code and Angels and Demons and can not wait to read this one!


Home For The Holidays by Rebecca Kelly: This is my December book club read AND it will fit nicely into the holiday reading challenge.  🙂


Read, Remember, Recommend: This is for our Christmas book club Christmas gift exchange we will do this coming Tuesday.  I found this at Amazon and I LOVE it.  Pages of book suggestions, places for notes, books you want lists and books you have loaned.  In fact I think I need one for myself!


Climbing The Stairs: This one is on my wish list but it is not for me but sent off how the holiday gift exchange as it was on their wish list too!


Shelf Discovery: Is for the other Christmas exchange I signed up for and this book is on its way to its new home as well.


Holiday Swap Gift!

And last but not least – this week I received The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton!  This was sent to me by Helen of Helen’s Book Blog.  She was my secret swap aprtner and I love the gift!!!!  Love it!


Be sure to stop in at the Story Siren blog and share what you got in your mailbox this week!

In My Mailbox

Another week of great books.  You can tell the season for our business is winding down because my work load is as well and my reading this time of year naturally goes up.  Colder weather keeps me inside more, the bike tournaments are over for the year and my natural cold weather remedy is books.  🙂  This meme is from Kristi’s Blog:  Story Siren

I am excited to share this weeks mailbox treasures with you!

Americans In Space by Mary Mitchell: Life is a challenge for 36-year-old Kate Cavanaugh, high school guidance counselor to a motley group of at-risk students. Two years after finding her young husband dead in bed beside her, Kate’s storybook life has vanished, and she and her two children are still reeling. Her daughter Charlotte, once a sweet girl, has morphed into an angry, tattooed, tongue-studded teen; and Hunter, Kate’s four-year-old, keeps his feelings sealed tight inside and an empty ketchup bottle clasped to his heart. When a tragedy occurs at the Alan B. Shepard High School, it’s Kate who finds herself in need of counsel and guidance. What she does next catapults her and her family down an unfamiliar road, on a trajectory into space – toward understanding, forgiveness and healing.

Doesn’t that sound good?  GAH!  I want to read it now!


Cold Streak by Lewis Aleman (with a bonus insert to his new book Faces In Time coming out in December!):   Laura has lost it all. In one strange and tragic night her husband and daughters were brutally murdered as she worked late at the office. The news sent her into a downward spiral of depression and regret. It became all the more intense when she knelt in the blood of her husband’s last struggle. Unable to cry, unable to release the pain or share it with others she folds herself into a coiled rage ready to explode as soon as the time is right. Tugged by wisps of memories, her feet move her in whatever direction the pull dictates so long as it leads her closer to understanding what happened and who was responsible.

This one is signed!  Oh… and in case you notice a theme with the two above books having dead husbands… that is just a wierd coincidence that I just noticed too…. 😉


Fablehaven by Brandon Mull: For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite. Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken — Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good — powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.

Doesn’t this look fantastic?  I was so excited to get this book!  It is a win off of the great With A Good Book blog.   AND it came with this super cool bookmark!


Love In Translation by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga: Stuck. That’s how 33-year-old aspiring singer Celeste Duncan feels, with her deadbeat boyfriend and static career. But then Celeste receives a puzzling phone call and a box full of mysterious family heirlooms which just might be the first real clue to the identity of the father she never knew. Impulsively, Celeste flies to Japan to search for a long-lost relative who could be able to explain. She stumbles head first into a weird, wonderful world where nothing is quite as it seems—a land with an inexplicable fascination with foreigners, karaoke boxes, and unbearably perky TV stars.

Seriously how much do you love this cover? And do you see this great swag that came with it?  The cards and then a cd that I haven’t listened to but I am excited to see what that is!


What a Christmas by B.R. Roberts: There’s a war going on, and Clementine Rose Miles has her eyes open. She’s just ten, but nobody can size up the situation better than this future investigative reporter with her knack for vocabulary and fondness for coffee.

Is the new hired hand a Nazi spy? Can the shootout with her twin cousins ground them for life? How long does the smell of strawberry Jell-O last on a wool skirt? Do mailboxes really talk? Will Christmas still come to the Miles family when there’s a tragedy? Can anything else possibly go wrong? You bet!

Whether it’s helping Grandma churn butter, understanding her teen-impaired sister, approaching the unapproachable Mrs. McPugh, or praying for her uncle’s unredeemed soul, Clementine stays on the case until it’s solved. She tells a very grownup story with a child’s humor and candor.

In spite of one disaster after another befalling the Miles family, tears, love and laughter anchor them to their faith. And when everything comes to a crashing climax at the Christmas pageant, the whole town is saying, “What a Christmas!”


Beating Diabetes: A weight loss plan on how to take care of you

I love books like this.  I am always interested in healthy eating tips and exercise!

The Ghost, The Eggheads, and Babe Ruth’s Piano by Larry Sweitzer: It’s the summer of 2004 and Freddie Holtzman can’t wait to get to Camp Mason, a summer camp for eggheads or rather, gifted teens. He hopes to reconnect with Ginny Haig, a girl he met at camp last year. Freddie’s old friends, Logan and Monty, are there along with some new faces. He tries to win Ginny’s affection, but every time he tries to talk to her, he says—and does—nerdy things.

At Camp Mason, a science fair pits the eggheads against one another for the top prize of a five thousand dollar scholarship. But, when the projects go missing, friendships are put to the test, relationships get put on hold, and everyone’s a suspect. To make matters worse, the camp is haunted by young Billy Mason who died there decades ago. The boys are determined to solve the mystery of the ghost and the missing science projects.

Freddie’s quest to win the scholarship—and the girl of his dreams—are constantly in jeopardy. There are complications at every turn: the ghost, a creepy caretaker, Freddie’s high school nemesis, a cantankerous camp manager, and a saboteur all threaten his chance to win the prize and Ginny’s heart.

Yeah the title threw me too but reading about the book… it sounds good!  This is a blog tour in December.


From Doon To Death by Ruth Rendall is a book I won during BBAW.  It arrived on Saturday from Australia!  Wild huh?


Books I purchased:

Breathless by Dean Koontz I purchased from Amazon.  It was just released this week and I do not usually pass up a Koontz book!

The final picture is of my two sons on Thanksgiving.  I purchased two copies of Hunger Games which I told them they both had to read!

So thats what was in my mailbox this week.  What was in yours?  Be sure to stop over and see Kristi at Story Siren to link on to the In My Mailbox link!  🙂

In My Mailbox

This weeks mailbox was a  fairly light one.  Here is what arrived:



Rene’ has Two Names – how fun is this great looking book?


40 Loaves is an upcoming Blog Tour that I am really excited about!


The Silent Gift, Though Waters Roar, and The Rose Legacy are all from Bethany House.  These books look like sweet reads I am going to review soon!


Samson’s Wall’s ARC is a pretty exciting sounding read.  I am glad to get in on the ground floor of this one.


Healthy Bread In Five Minutes A Day (what is with the bread theme this week?)  This looks delicious!  I think this review may be on Thanksgiving as I try out a recipe or two out of this wonderful looking book!


Run For Your Life Audio is a win from J Kayes Blog!  I am so excited to listen to this one… I am on a whole Patterson kick…  Thanks J Kaye!


Thanksgiving At The Inn is a win from Miss Remmer’s Blog.  What perfect timing!  I want tor ead this one this weel for obvious reasons!  🙂  Thanks Reagan!


So that’s what the mailbox had in store for me this week.  How about you?  Be sure to link to this wonderful weekly meme hosted by Kristi of Story Siren.

Happy reading everyone!  I am off to enjoy Catching Fire, having finish Hunger Games about an hour ago…. I am now a total addict!  😉

In My Mailbox

This was a great week for the mailbox… not overly heavy – and a few audio books were super exciting for me as I have just this year become a fan of audio books for road trips or for just relaxing or doing home projects with the audio in the background.

Here is what that wonderful mailman brought my way this week:


First up, The Lovely Bones in audio – which I am currently listening too and should be reviewing early this next week.


9 Dragons showed up in audio as well this week (Thank you Anna with Hachette!)  I have reviewed this book and I am excited to review the audio.


Say Your One of  Them also in audio is scream worthy!  I am so excited to have a chance to listen to this!  I have heard great things about this.


Permission Slips (also in audio) is one I have seen around the blogs and am really looking for a little road time for this one!


Marriage 101 came in this week and is for a blog tour I am in with TLC Publishing on the 16th…. I will reading this one over the next couple of days!


The Possibility of Everything came in from the publisher.  This is a non fiction read that I will be diving into soon!


Lady Vernon and her Daughter is a wonderful looking book (seriously check out that cover!)


Shiver came in this week as my win from The Reading Challenge.  S W E E T!!!  😉  I LOVE to win books!


Decoding The Lost Symbol came in as well and I am excited to use this book with my copy of The Lost Symbol that I won… but do not have the book yet, so I will wait until I can read them together.


On Loan

My dear friend Heidi loaned me just today her copy of Say Your One Of Them.  YEAH!  Yes, I know I received it in audio this week as well but having the choice makes this all the sweeter!


Purchased

I did get a chance to go to Barnes and Noble this weekend which is a huge treat for me.  The closest one is an hour away!  I went… I savored… and I did not leave empty handed but instead came back with books I have been wanting to read for some time now:

Sookie Stackhouse… I have read about these books and have to try one for myself – so home with me came Dead Until Dark!  I am excited to give this a try and see where I land on this one.  I have never watched True Blood so I am going into this cold turkey.


Hush Hush... yes you are reading this right.  I bought it, I own it, there is a happy dance going on in the house tonight!


And finally I now have Hunger Games!!!  I won Catching Fire last month and have been chomping to get at Hunger Games so i can read them both.  Now I have it – no more excuses!  🙂


So there is the list of books that I entered my home this week.  I am pleased to welcome them to the family!  🙂  Please share what came in your mailbox this week at Kristi’s Story Siren blog.  Add your post to the linky and let us all come and see what you got!  🙂

Happy reading!!!

 

In My Mailbox

I am home from Honduras as of 2 am this morning.  I have went to Church, unpacked, completed two loads of laundry, done the dishes, and looked through and recorded my books that came in this week as well as the 4 books I purchased in Honduras.

Want to see?  (There are some pretty exciting titles in here!)

1.  Gringos In Paradise sent to me by the author.  This one is about Honduras…. thought I would have to check it out!

2.  When Heaven Comes Down from Bethany House this looks like a great read!

3.  The Secret of Joy came my way from Pocket Books.  What a fun cover!

4.  7 I received two of so you know there will be a giveaway!  Woo Hoo!  These came from Hachette Book Group.

5.  The Rapture is a book I won from Nikola’s Back to Books Blog.  Thanks Nikola!  Looks super good!

6.  Treasured is for an upcoming Blog Tour.  I love the look and sound of this one.  Ths came from Ashley Boyer with Random House.

7.  God Gave Us Christmas and God Gave Us Love are both from Ashley Boyer with Random House.  I love childrens reads and these look great!

8.  The Cost Of Dreams is a thriller set around Indian culcture and was sent by Robyn Schechter.  I need to put this one on the tbr list soon!

9.  Heretic’s Daughter was sent by Hachette House and I have a current giveaway on this incredible book that is ending soon – sign up today to win a copy here!

10.  Ok if this was a vlog I would be squealing here!  I found a book off my wish list in Honduras!  Yeah!  I found SOLD there are I know this will probably be an emotionally hard read but one I am truly looking forward to!

11.  Yes!  Another squeal and perhaps a back flip on this one!  This is a copy of J K Rowlings The Tales of Beedle the Bard in Spanish!  I have it in english too as you will see by the next picture.  How fun is this?  I picked this little treasure up in Honduras.

12.  Increble Kamo!  Is a book I seen that the children in Manuelito (Honduras) were reading as a group.  It is a fiction read and then I seen it at the book store in Honduras and had to have a copy.  This is in Spanish as well.  (If you are wondering if I speak fluent Spanish – I do not, but I hope to some day)!

13.  The Penderwicks is the last book from this past week and also my final purchase in Honduras.  It just looks like a wonderful read.  I havent peaked into it yet but I am guessing it to be an adventure like Narnia…. we shall see.

Thanks all for stopping in to see what I found in my mailbox this week.  It was exciting to come home to all the packages and opening each one was like a new treasure.  I am pretty tired now so I think I am going to break and read a bit or even possibly nap!  Be sure to stop by Kristi’s blog the Story Siren to add your books you received to her weekly meme In My Mailbox!

 

In My Mailbox…

Morning all!

I prepped this post before I left with the mailbox happenings at my house this past week.  Actually it was a pretty quiet book week here.  See for yourself…

001Monique and The Mango Rains by Kris Holloway was sent my way from Julie of My Own Little Corner Of The World. She picked this off my wish list for me – how sweet is that?  This little treasure went with me on the plane!   Expect a review soon!

002

Michael Jackson by Randy J Tarborrelli came from Hachette Book Group.  I am interested in this read as I grew up with Michael Jackson in the days that he was the pop icon.

That’s it – thats my mailbox.  🙂  Be sure to stop by Story Siren to add your post of In My Mailbox to her link so others can stop in and see you and the books you received!  🙂

In My Mailbox

Ooh – it was a good mailbox week!  Good in the sense that the books were plentiful and some excellent titles passed through my fingers.

Ready to see what there was?  Me too!


Shadow of Tears by Ole Dammegard is sent to me from the author.  This book is a true story about friendship and an escape from Iran.  Yeah – I know, pretty cool sounding!  Oh, and it is signed too!


Freddie Girl by Nona David… doesnt this one just look fun?  I am always up for a little YA reading!  Thank you to Joan from Bernards Book Publishing for this one.


Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman. Smoking cover.  Seriously. Look at it.  This is book one of the Vineart War.  Pocket Books sent this one my way for review.


Over The Holidays by Sandra Harper popped in my mailbox on Friday.  I received this too late to do the review I was scheduled to do this past Wednesday so I will get to this one yet this week and have it posted.  Doesn’t it look fun?  Another read from Pocket Books.


The Bible Salesman by Clyde Edgeton and Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby are both review books from Hachette Book Group.  They both sound wonderful! I will be posting a giveaway for Life After Genius before I leave at the end of the week.


The Laceyville Monkeys by Harriett Ruderman looks so fun!  I will try to dig into this one as well this week.  This one is from Bostick Communications.

100 Books For Girls To Grow On by Shireen Dodson, The Readers Choice by Victoria Golden McMains, The Mother Daughter Book Club by Shireen Dodson, and How To Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C Foster all came in for review by Harper Collins Publishers.  Don’t they look fabulous?  The books about books are driving me crazy… I want to touch them and dig right in!  The book on how to read like a Professor?  Well hello!  What if I actually learn something?  🙂


Secrets Of The Christmas Box by Steven Hornby is this cute looking hard cover read that makes me think of snowy nights of hot cocoa and candy canes.  Thank you to Ecky Thump Books for my review copy!


Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger looks like an upbeat change of pace book for me.  Cant wait to jump into the pages!  Thank you to Bell Bridge Books for my review copy.


And finally – see this letter?  It is from Michelle Moran, author of Cleopatra’s Daughter which I reviewed recently.  She thanked me for the review and sent along this authentic coin from Ancient Rome!  Very cool… letter and coin will be kept with the book.


So thats my mailbox.  Lots of great things to read!  I would love to hear about what you got as well!  Hop, skip, jump, and click your way over to Kristi at Story Siren and add your post to her linky.  That way we can all visit and snoop in your mailbox!  😉

In My Mailbox

I am excited that this post is going to be up somewhat earlier for me than usual.  I had a good week – a busy week and just now I am able to unpack these treasures with you here!


Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman
When Alisa Stewart’s son checks himself into rehab, he seems to find a healing faith that’s real. Yet the hope she feels at this news is cracked when a policeman shows up asking dark questions about a murder of someone Kurt knew. Alisa is terrified. Her boy is different now. He’s changed and deserves a second chance. But as his old life refuses to stay buried, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice: keep silent and keep her son or risk everything in a quest for the truth.

This is a book from Bethany House Reviews.  I usually do not like covers with people on them but this one I do!


Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish

Deputy Benjamin Patil is the one to find the infant girl–hours old, abandoned in a field. When the mother can’t be located, Ben and his wife, Abbi, seem like the perfect couple to serve as foster parents. But the baby’s arrival opens old wounds for Abbi and shines a harsh light on how much Ben has changed since a devastating tour in Iraq. As their marriage teeters on the brink, they now must choose to either reclaim what they once had or lose each other forever.

This book is also from Bethany House Reviews.  This books topic really spoke to me ad I knew I wanted to review it.  I have a real heart for children in need.


Things Worth Remembering by Jackina Stark

Kendy Laswell and her daughter, Maisey, used to do everything together–until one fateful summer when Maisey witnessed something she shouldn’t have, and their relationship fractured. Now, Maisey is back home to get married and Kendy realizes this is her last chance to reconnect with her daughter. Will Kendy and Maisey be able to reclaim the bond they once shared?

Totally cover love on this one – also from Bathany House Reviews.  The cover caused me to read on and the topic sounds good.


Tirissa and The Necklace of Nulidor by Willow

One day twelve-year-old Tirissa discovers that everyone  in her village is under a spell. Everyone but her! Then she sees a mysterious stranger change into a huge bird, a bird with  a beak like a sword. Did he cast the spell? Desperate to find someone who can break it, she flees, leaving her village behind. Soon she meets some wood nymphs and learns, to her surprise, that she is part wood nymph.

An old herbwoman tells her to seek help from a wizard who lives far away, a journey that will take her across the Three Kingdoms. Along the way she’s joined by a kindly troll and a reluctant palace guard. They are pursued by the twin princes of Kellayne, the best hunters in the Blue River Kingdom, as well as by the huge, dangerous bird.
Meanwhile, an evil wizard watches Tirissa and her friends in his magic mirror and plans a second spell that will kill everyone
in the Three Kingdoms.

Seriously did you read this description?  Does that sound wonderfully fantasy?  This is a book tour for Nov 24 sponsored by Pump Up Your Book PromotionThe author stuck me a little post it note message on the book – way cool!


let go by Sheila Walsh

Burdened. The word alone makes shoulders sink. It slows down our lives. It clouds our vision. It is the result of so many memories, grudges, fears, uncertainty, and stress. It is heavy.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

Overworked? Overcommitted? Overtired? Underappreciated?

Let go and live free.

Sound impossible? Sheila Walsh thought so – until God proved himself again and again through his Word, his people, and her life.

In Let Go, the bestselling author and speaker walks readers through the journey to freedom in Christ. Along the way, she tackles some of the toughest struggles that weigh women down, answering them with overwhelming truth, promise, and hope.

I picked this up at the Women of Faith Conference this weekend.  Sheila Walsh spoke there and I am always impressed on how real she is.  Sheila really opened up about her own life happenings and I knew I had to read this book.


A Perfect Mess by Lisa Harper

In this liberating look at how God adores and transforms imperfect people, Bible teacher Lisa Harper weaves poignant stories of her own personal foibles with a fresh take on selected Psalms to reveal a loving Father who remains your greatest champion even when you don’t feel anywhere close to holy.
Join Lisa in discovering what happens when we stop trying to hide our inadequacies and doubts and instead trust God with our anger, frustrations, flaws, and regrets. As you accept God’s loving invitation to exchange your junk for His joy, you’ll find the imperfect pieces of your life shaped into a glorious pattern of divine grace.

I seen Lisa Harper for the first time this weekend and thought that anyone that can talk about carrying a dead goat up a hill of her property and lose her pants at the same time has to be an alright author!  Lisa was incredibly funny and I am excited to dive into her book.


What To Do When The Roof Caves In by Marilyn Meberg

Every family and every person has been there in one way or another. It’s the moment when everything falls apart unexpectedly. The roof has caved in. And the question immediately following comes from the rubble: Now what?

Marilyn Meberg’s What To Do When the Roof Caves In offers readers a certified counselor’s answer to that question in their own lives. Moving from topic to topic,she helps readers understand where their emotional responses are coming from when hard times hit. And she offers practical, sisterly advice to tackle those trials that seem like they can’t be mended.

Marilyn is one of those people that you look at and think – what could this woman possibly have to share with me in a book?  I have heard Marilyn speak 5 different times now and each times she leaves me laughing so hard there are tears in my eyes and at the same time she sneaks her own witty wisdom inside her stories.  Marilyn is a joy to listen to and I have already dropped my head intot his book on our way home from Minneapolis.


Blurt package and Timeless Toys book!

This is just a funny story.  It is no secret on this blog that I a lover of all things words and games are right there in that mix!  I posted a few weeks ago a Morning Meandering on my love of board games.  If you know my meanderings – they are just that…. me rambling on about whatever is on my mind, and on this particular morning it was my love of all things board games.  Later that week I received this email:

Sheila,

I caught your Morning Meandering Post the other day and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to hear that Blurt is in your game closet! I am the designer of Blurt and I am also an author. We may be cut form the same cloth May I send you a book/game play extravaganza package?
My Best,

Tim

I had no idea what would be sent… maybe some BLURT stationary or pens… something fun like that, so I sent off my address and then forgot about it.  Then this week my husband brings up this box that was delivered to our business office that is behind out house.  I asked, “What is it?”

“I don’t know,” he said.  “Its addressed to you.”

Don’t get me wrong – I love a good mystery box so I opened it right away and was overly delighted to see a new Blurt! game, this gorgeous book called Timeless Toys (which I have also already been reading and drooling!) and this book called SUPER BOOK about WHAM-O toys!   I hauled the BLURT! game with me to this past weekends conference but with as much as we had going on and the fact that I was in a lot of pain (see my morning meandering today about that) I did not get into the game yet.  Never fear though – I will!  First chance I get to have some friends together and we will play and review this wonderful game.

So that is my mailbox this week.  I am excited to hear what is in all of yours?  Be sure to write your post and then link it over at Kristi’s In My Mailbox post at Story Siren.  She is so fun and I love to watch her vlog each week!


In My Mailbox

Sunday already!  I had a busy week and did not accomplish anywhere near what I had hoped to for this week of reading!  I am now working on my book club read for Tuesday, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

My mailbox however had a great week!  Lets check it out together!

The Secret Mandarin by Sara Sheridan is a win from Historical Tapestry (are you digging this cover?  I totally am!)


Saving Sammy by Beth Maloney is a true story of a mothers journey with a son who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) watch for this on Tour on November 9


Flowers for Elvis by Julia Schuster (would you just look at this cover!) I received this wonderful win from J Kayes Blog!


The Magic Warble is a blog tour for December 7.  How fun does this book look?  🙂


Wealth Out Of Ashes is a First reads win.


Lucan by Susan Learney was a win from Anna’s Book Blog ( A fellow Minnesotan Blogger!)


Tell Me Something True is part of the Hispanic month giveaway for a set of five books!  Check it out here only 4 more days to enter!


White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner is a review AND a giveway!  Yup see the extra copy?  It could be yours!


Catching Fire came this week with the super cool t shirt and pin I won over at Park-Avenue Princesses blog (WOO HOO!)  I gave Chance the t shirt – he was thrilled… but the book is all MINE!  MINE I say!  MINE!!!  😉


Diary of a Teenager, Leaving Carolina, and Limelight are all part of a set of fun fall reads that I will be on tour with.  I am excited to see what each of these books is about!


Family Plots… which is described as a laugh out loud funny read is also a tour


The Smart One and the Pretty One looks like a lite chick lit.  I am looking forward to this one!


Love Revolution by Joyce Meyer  came as twins this week (see the?  One… two!).  I already have a review copy so these two gorgeous looking books will be on for giveaways… stay tuned!  🙂


The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks ….. wait ….. wait…. yes, Sparks.  He is an incredible writer and in my hot little hand is this wonderful book for review.  There is a happy dance going on right here….


The Historian is for review and I also have five copies of this historical fiction to give away!  Giveaway is going on now so I suggest you stop and check it out!


39 Clues… book One…. yeah I broke down and bought it!  I have to know what it is all about!  I am excited to hopefully get into that one yet this week!


Novel Destinations arrived in my mailbox this week and I have already cruised through this book soaking up all the sights and literary landmarks!  Watch for this review this week…


Rooftops of Tehran.…  ahhhh….. yes of my wish list and now in my home!  The author of this book contacted me and had seen my excitedment about this book and offered me a copy!  That is sooooo cool!


There it is.  The mailbox is now emptied.  How about you?  Be sure to go over to Story Siren’s blog and use Mr Linky to connect with the In My Mailbox  post so others can see what you had arrive as well!  🙂

Happy reading!