Happy Monday

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Don't forget to link up your list

~ here are the new books in my house this week ~
I've been busy O_o ... At least two are review books!

A Shocking Delight by Jo Beverley
Rogue series, 2014, mass market paperback

Lucy Potter, daught of a wealthy merchant, is more interested in trade than in the men after her dowry. When forced to have a London season, she sets out to enjoy herself rather than to find a husband. But once she meets the notorious Earl of Wyvern, her resolve weakens, and when they kiss, it dissolves--even though her instincts warn he's dangerous.

Wyvern has a dark secret, which means he must win a rich bride. Lucinda Potter seems ideal. Not for her beauty and her lively charm, but because at first meeting she seems unlikely to realize the truth.

As he come to know her, however, as they spar and kiss, he realizes she's too clever and honest by far. Marrying Lucy would mean living a lie with the woman he has come to love. . . .

Betting the Rainbow by Jodi Thomas
A Harmony Novel, 2014, mass market paperback

Sisters Abby and Dusti Delaney have spent their entire lives on Rainbow Lane, but they dream of something bigger. So when a poker tournament comes to town, Dusti is determined to win enough money to leave. Enlisting expert Kieron O’Brian to teach her the game, sparks begin to fly as they play their hands. But Kieron refuses to stand in the way of her dream, even if it means losing her forever...

After a year of traveling, Ronny Logan is settling into a home on Rainbow Lane, but that’s all the settling she’ll be doing. Ronny refuses to fall for anyone, regardless of the chemistry she has with her neighbor Austin Hawk. Yet something undeniable begins to grow between the two loners—if only they can let their barriers fall and open their hearts...

Smitten anthology (Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter)
2011, trade paperback

The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they've got just the plan to save Smitten. They'll capitalize on its name and turn it into a tourist destination for lovers--complete with sweet shops, a high-end spa, romantic music on the square, and cabins outfitted with fireplaces and hot tubs.

But is this manly town ready for an influx of romantically-minded guests?

The Masterful Mr. Montague by Stephanie Laurens
A Casebook of Barnaby Adair Novel, 2014, mass market paperback

Montague has devoted his life to managing to wealth of London's elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally . . . and personally.

Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she'd expected--the man is compelling, decisive, supposrtive, and strong--everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.

But then Lady Halstead is murdered and they race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?

When We Met by Susan Mallery
A Fool's Gold Romance, 2014, mass market paperback

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing--she can go toe-to-toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction...and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow,Angel can convince her that surrender might ffeel even better than victory.

Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer 
picture book, 2011, hardcover

One morning in May, Cat wondered,
"How do pumpkins grow?"
"I know," said Mouse.
"And I will show you how."

Cat and Mouse take us through planting up to harvest. Beautifully illustrated, simple words and a great surprise at the end. (Jack-a-lantern)

Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens
Ghost Layer, 2014, mass market paperback

When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermak inherits more than just money. she receives the gift of communicating with ghosts. While Clare may not believe in spirits, it's hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver. And when she locks eyes with sexy--and living--Zach Slade, there's certainly no ignoring his either.

A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossin gpaths with beautiful Clare. Not that she minds. After the restless ghost of an Old West gunman demands her assistance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more--and not just for help.

Hearts and Swords by Robin D. Owens
Celta/HeartMate, 2011, trade paperback

Four stories about the beginning or secondary characters in the series.

Captain Kelse Bountry is leading a colony fleet in search of a habitable planet.

Blush Willow and her HeartMate Dri Paris must work together to save his family.

Genista Furze, ex-wife of Tinne Holly has created a new life for herself and may find a new romance.

Walker Clover experiences Passage and learns he possesses a flair for magic!

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen , illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
picture book, 2006, papberback

Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. But when a lion comes in one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lion in the library.

It turns out, though, that the lion seems very well suited for the library. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. And he never roars in the library--at least not anymore.

But when something terrible happens, the lion helps in the only way he knows how. Could there ever be a good reason to break the rules?

Sneakers, the Seaside Cat by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Anne Mortimer
picture book, 2003, paperback


Sneakers saw something.
It was yellow and pink on the outside....
Then he crept up to it and
peeked in.

On Sneakers' first trip to the seaside, his curious paws find surprises in the sand. There's a mischievous crab, playful shrimp, and a shell that echoes the roar of the ocean.


*REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for May 21

The One And Only by Emily Giffin
release date: May 20, 2014, ebook, MMP, audio

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.


*REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for May 23

Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick
release date: May 6, ebook, paperback

Flight attendant Summer Benson lives by two rules: Don’t stay with the same man for too long and never stay in one place. She’s about to break rule number one by accepting her boyfriend’s proposal—then disaster strikes and her world is shattered in an instant.

Summer heads to Black Dog Bay, where the locals welcome her. Even Hattie Huntington, the town’s oldest, richest, and meanest resident, likes her enough to give her a job. Then there’s Dutch Jansen, the rugged, stoic mayor, who’s the opposite of her type. She probably shouldn’t be kissing him. She definitely shouldn’t be falling in love.

After a lifetime of globe-trotting, Summer has finally found a home. But Hattie has old scores to settle and a hidden agenda for her newest employee. Summer finds herself faced with an impossible choice: Leave Black Dog Bay behind forever, or stay with the ones she loves and cost them everything….

~*~*~*~*~

I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~ I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2014's books

What are you Reading?

A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!

Finished:
Rules of the Chef by Nicole Dennis
Wanting by Piper Vaughn
Straight Roommate by Mandy Harbin
Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Supernatural Mates series (short stories):

• From Pack to Pride by Amber Kell
• A Prideless Man by Amber Kell
• A Prideful Mate by Amber Kell
• Nothing to do with Pride by Amber Kell
• Talan's Treasure by Amber Kell
• More than Pride by Amber Kell 
• Protecting His Pride by Amber Kell

Farren's Wizard by Amber Kell
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Sneakers, the Seaside Cat by Margaret Wise Brown
Hearts and Swords by Robin D. Owens
By the Numbers by Nicole Dennis

huh, I was going to say not to think I've read a lot because so many were short and three were picture books but it added up to 1,937 pages. O_o

Books stacked by my reading chair:
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
In Mint Condition anthology
Cats in Space anthology
Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
The One And Only by Emily Giffin
. . . and about 6 unread library books



Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page 34/384)
Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page 44/384)
Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page 42/271)
Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page 312/402)
Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
Montana Standoff by Sharon Dunn (18/280)
Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page 18/284 + Home-Renovation and Design Tips)