Farewell to Paperbackswap

I've been a member of Paperbackswap since April 2007.  In that time, I've traded many DTB books, but with the upcoming changes, I've decided to cancel my membership.

In the past, you posted a book.  When a person requested that book, you sent it out (paying for the shipping of course) and you got a credit.  With that credit, you could request a book from another member and you would get that book for free (if you don't count the money you paid to ship out the original book in the first place).  It was basically a place that brought together people to trade books.

Then it started to get complicated.  You have choices when you ship.  You can pre-print the shipping label.  They charge you $0.55 to do that, but I would do it for the convenience and to help them out.  Also, to buy PBS money (the money you use for the shipping label) you have a $0.50 transaction fee.  So, over the years, the little fees have been stuck in there unless you went the post office.

On February 15, Paperbackswap is switching from being "free" to charging for the chance to trade books with other members.  Instead of being able to use your credits to simply get a book, you'll have to pay $.49 per transaction to use your own credits.  If you print out your shipping label, you get a "free" credit, but since you're paying the $0.55 already, it's not really free.

You can pay $20 annually and get your trades for free, but you're going to have to get 40 books to make that cost effective.  The other choice is $12, and you get 30 free swaps. There's also some nonsense about how many books you can have on your Wish List, but I think that's a minor issue.

With the amount of swapping I end up doing, I've sent out many more books in the past year than I had wishes granted.  Overall, the service has gone downhill for me.  They've been starting to nickel and dime me for a while now, and this is just the last straw.

Personally, I have been trying to replace many of my DTB books with the digital versions. The credits I was using on the site was to supplement books in my church's library, but those wishes haven't been granted in a while and it's just not worth it for me.

I am trying to use up my credits one last time and then my account will be closed.  I am an advocate of finding ways to save money while still reading books I love, and Paperbackswap no longer fits into that category in my opinion.  I won't be recommending it any longer.

Farewell Paperbackswap.  You started out good, then made yourself WAY too complicated...

The Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes - Dani Pettrey

In celebration of the release of Dani Pettrey's new book, Sabotaged, you have the chance to win some amazing prizes!

The grand prize is a $250 gift certificate at Hotels.com.  Next up is a donation to the animal rescue, shelter or veternarian of your choice.  Third prize is a survival sled packed with goodies.  

The giveaway started on February 2nd and runs until the 22nd.  Wnners will be announced February 23rd at DaniPettrey.com.  So, head on over to The Heart of Adventure website and enter now!

If the sweepstakes doesn't catch your eye, make sure you check out the book, Sabotaged.  It's the fifth and final book in the Alaskan Courage series and a great read.  I enjoyed it a lot, and you can read my review HERE.

I recommend both the book and the sweepstakes - what have you got to lose?!

Remember the Lilies - Liz Tolsma

In the past, I’ve read Snow on the Tulips, a novel about the Dutch Resistance in WWII.  There’s another book out that I haven’t been able to read called Daisies are Forever.  I liked Snow on the Tulips, so I was excited to read this one.

Manila.  WWII.  Rand used to be a nightclub owner, but now that the Japanese have taken over the city, he lives in the internment camp with so many other men, women and children.  He has plans to escape, but those plans fall through and he’s sent to a horrible prison where he is tortured.  When he is let go, he winds up in the hospital to recover.

Irene works in the censor office and learns that part of the message she prepared for Rand is missing a vital part.  She sees that he’s taken prisoner, and when another, more threatening message is sent to him, she knows he needs to see it.  Her aunt is sick and she uses her visit to inform Rand that he’s in danger.

A man named Covey begins to threaten and blackmail Rand and, later on, Irene.  He wants power over their lives and knows things about them no one should know.  Holding the secrets over Rand’s head, he believes he’ll take control of Rand’s nightclub business.  He threatens to expose Irene’s deepest secret and ruin her friendship with Rand.  Will they eventually embrace the truth and each other?

This book takes part during the war in the internment camp.  There’s a lot of savagery, brutality and cruelty mixed in with the hope of God’s deliverance and the power of forgiveness.  It was a little more on the depressing side than I’m used to reading, but the hope of a happy ending kept me going until the end.  There’s a small author’s note at the end giving you a little bit of the history that inspired the story and overall, I was glad I read it.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2) - Ronie Kendig

This is the second book in the series.  The first one is Nightshade, and then after this book, there's Wolfsbane and Firethorn.

Colton "Cowboy" Neeley is haunted by memories of combat and tragedy.  Even though he feels broken, he's drawn to a clerk at a store and finds reasons to buy things in her department.  But how many towels does a house really need?  Colton has to tread lightly, because the safety of his team and his family could be at risk if he lets her in and it was a mistake.

Piper is attracted to Colton as well, but she's got her own secrets to guard.  Revealing her identity isn't an option.  Her father's safety depends on it.  But Colton has a way of breaking through her barriers and getting to her heart.  Eventually, she learns her cover is blown and she plans on running, but the enemy has found her.  Colton comes to the rescue, but Piper still isn't willing to share everything.  The consequences are tragic.

Since it's special forces, there's death in there and some of it is gut wrenching.  Colton has to deal with his demons and the way Piper guards her secrets hurts him.  Learning the truth only makes him angry.  It seems like there are too many roadblocks in the way, but with God, anything is possible.

This was another great book.  The action sequences are well written and the depth to the characters is well done.  Next up is Wolfsbane, and it's about Canyon "Midas" Metcalfe. I've been curious about his character since I read Nightshade, so I look forward to reading the next book.  This book can be read alone, but to understand the dynamic between the team, I recommend reading them in order if you plan on reading more than one.  You'll get a more satisfying read that way.  Good Book!

 

Nightshade (Discarded Heroes #1) - Ronie Kendig

This is one of those authors that I love.  I know I can pick up one of her books and be faced with some hardcore reading sessions.  While this series is a few years old, I was able to pick all four books up for a decent price and thought now would be a good time to start it.  This is the first book in the series with Digitalis, Wolfsbane and Firethorn following.

Max's life is falling apart.  He has some serious anger issues and it's cost him big time. His wife has separated from him and he wonders if things can ever be good again.  He's approached to be part of an elite, secret force of men, discarded heroes, that go in and right the wrongs in the world.  Their existence is a secret and it needs to remain that way.

Sydney still loves her husband, but his anger has made her scared.  She's urged him to seek help many times, but lets his pride get in the way.  When she gets the chance to work on a human interest story, she jumps at the chance, not knowing that she's trying to find Max's team.  She also finds out that she's putting her life in danger in the process. Add in the unwanted attentions of a co-worker and a baby on the way, and Sydney's life is a mess.

Jon is a missionary in the Philippine jungles when trouble arises.  The danger hits a little too close to home, and he ends up on the run with his wife and daughter.  It soon becomes clear that they need to get out of there, but it's not going to be easy.  Jon's faith will be tested, and sometimes he feels unequal to the task.  Getting out will require the efforts of Max's team.

I really liked this book.  You really get a great look into these people's personalities and feel their struggles.  Be aware everyone doesn't make it to the end.  I normally don't like books where too many people die, but I didn't have problems with this one.  You also get a nice setup for the next book in the series, Digitalis.  It centers around Cowboy, who becomes a great friend to Max in this book.  It's up next on my Kindle, and I can't wait! Good Book!

Sabotaged (Alaskan Courage #5) - Dani Pettrey

Sabotaged is the fifth book in the Alaskan Courage Series.  The others are: Submerged, Shattered, Stranded and Silenced.  It’s mainly the story of Reef and Kirra, but you’re also getting updates on the rest of the family as well.

Kirra’s uncle disappears from the Iditarod dog sled race mysteriously and she goes out after him.  Reef spots her leaving and goes along with her.  When they meet up with Frank, they find out that Kirra’s cousin has been kidnapped and they have to find her before Frank reaches the end of the race or people will get hurt.

Soon after, multiple attempts are made on their lives as Kirra and Reef dive into her uncle’s past.  It seems like the kidnappers know their moves and time is running out.  It seems like Frank’s secret from his past might have caught up with him, but there’s also the possibility that there’s forces at work that are planning to launch an attack on the oil pipeline.

Of all the books in this series, this is the first one that made me think, “This would make a great movie.”  All the books in this series are great and I highly recommend them.  All the siblings show up in this book, some more than others, but they’re all there and you get updates on how they’re doing.  While you could technically read this one alone, you’re going to get a much more satisfactory story if you read them all, especially in order.  I didn’t get the chance to do that, but this was a great series and I will definitely be on the lookout for more by this talented author.  Great Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It Happened at the Fair - Deeanne Gist

I've read quite a few of this author's books in the past and I'm usually pleased with what I read.  This one's been on my Kindle for a while, not because I've been avoiding it, but because I have SO much to read it just got lost in the shuffle.

Cullen isn't really cut out for a farmer's life.  The crops make his face swell up, but he comes from a long line of farmers and feels that he needs to follow in those footsteps.  He even has a fiance all lined up in his childhood friend.  Cullen has a talent for creating inventions and mechanical things, so his father signs him up to have an exhibit at Chicago's World Fair.  Cullen doesn't want to do it, but his father has laid out a lot of money that he can't get back.  Feeling he has no choice, Cullen heads to Chicago for the next six months.

Della has a close call at the opening ceremonies for the fair and meets up with Cullen. Her father has drilled into her head to never trust any man, so she gets away as fast as she can.  She's also working at the fair, but she's there teaching the deaf children how to lip-read. Cullen has problems hearing, especially in his noisy machinery building, and asks for her help.  She's skeptical at first, but the more time they spend together, the more she feels drawn to this brawny man.

I loved this book so much, I read it in two sittings.  I love this author's writing style, and the story line was intriguing.  I really enjoyed all the pictures that were in there, and it sparked an interest in me for the World's Fair.  The author's note at the end is pretty long, but it needed to be.  I was almost sad when it was over.  There's a glimpse of the characters from Fair Play in there if you pay attention, but this is a stand alone book that I recommend.  Good Book!