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Friday, August 29, 2014

Audio Book Review: The Curve Of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet

This is a delightful listening pleasure.
The Curve of Time
by M. Wylie Blanchet
Narrated by: Heather Henderson

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:06-17-14
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press Inc.
Program Type: Audiobook
Genre: Memoir
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
At a time when Vancouver Island was still an extremely remote and sparsely populated backwater, a young widow packed her five children into a 25-foot boat dubbed The Caprice and set off on an adventure. Summer after summer the brave young mother, who became known as "Capi," would set sail and explore the rugged coastline for months with her young crew. Although the hazards the family faced were numerous-tides, fog, storms, rapids, cougars, and even grizzlies-Capi brought them through it all. The Curve of Time is Capi's poignant, thoughtful, and poetic recollection of these days.This classic coastal tale has been a bestseller since it was first published in 1961. That was also the year of the author's death. In print continuously since it's original publication, this is the first time it has been made available in audio.
©1961 The Estate of M. Wylie Blanchet (P)2014 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.


Review:
This is a sharing of personal experiences of a young widow who is boating with five children as they explore the remote areas of the rugged Vancouver coast. The author adds some history tidbits along the way as well as the summer adventures. The stories are natural, often charming and humorous. It is extra special as this is set in 1927 so their explorations tend to be true adventures of a more primitive time and setting. Most visits and encounters with strangers, even native Indians, are safe and friendly. They make friends and share time with loners and couples in remote areas. Then again, there are natural dangers too in the form of bears and cougars.

The tales share the events of the young family during their summer vacations and include, at the end, a sweet returning home to their “Little House” on Vancouver Island. The chapters represent separate events and adventures in no particular order of time. The stories include lovely descriptions of the rugged, beautiful and sometimes eerie landscaping, including visits to abandoned tribal villages and burial grounds. There are also some lovely moments of poetic observance.

I particularly enjoyed this experience because my family did a lot of boating when I was a teenager. My experiences were with more modern boats in the Bahamas but we still had similar adventures. We met strangers who became friends and had times when we faced the dangers of shark infested waters and were stranded by engine failures.

This is a book that shouldn't be limited to boaters although that is a large part of the entertainment. This is a lovely, enjoyable family journal with adventures that could be shared with children as well as adults. I have recommended it to my daughter to listen to with my grandchildren, ages 3 to 10. It is perfect for vacation listening as it tells of summer explorations but it doesn’t have to be limited to summer. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys tales of family time adventuring and especially those who might enjoy the excitement of boating in sometimes tight and danger places. Although there is a bit of an old fashioned tone the stories are timeless in the nature of remembering family adventures.

Audio Notes: I found the narration by Heather Henderson to be spot on for the nature of the story. The pacing and inflections fit the circumstances being described. She is able to portray the experiences with a gentle and natural presentation. I am sure that the book is good in print but the audio is a delightful, easy listen.  You can find some comments from Ms. Henderson and lovely images from the family at her own blog: http://heatherannehenderson.com/2014/07/04/a-narrators-joy-the-curve-of-time/

I received this audio download from Post Hypnotic Press for and honest review.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 29, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Another week has slipped by. This has been a strange week with few appointments, allowing me time to catch up on work. Yet I have been working late still and tonight I am tired. 
I hope everyone else is doing well.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the August 22 Pick. There were three automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There was one title blocked.
bn100 gets Safe by His Sides
Linda K gets Contract Dad
Alyn gets A Highlander's Bride

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 22 Pick:
Miki gets a GC
Llehn gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}
Does real life fade into a book or do books fade in real life?
Image found at Literary Duck Blog.

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014
PAIRS:
William J. Coughlin: The Court and The Judgment
Phyllis J. Whitney: The Ebony Swan and Woman Without a Past
SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
So Hard to Forget by Evelyn Crowe
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
Whirlwind Affair by Jacquie D'Allessandro
Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 
ChiefTain by Nan Ryan
A Place Called Home by Loir Wick
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

PAIRS:
Sandra Brown:  The Thrill of Victory and Temperatures Rising
Beverly Barton: The Last to Die and Raintree: Sanctuary
SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
Savage Thunder by Cassie Edwards
Miracle by Deborah Smith
Desperate Alliances by Cory Daniells
Never Walk Alone by Paula Detmer Riggs
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Running Blind by Lee Child
Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway
The Grey Beginning by Barbara Michaels
The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014

PAIRS:
Karen Haper:  Black Orchid (spine creases) and Shaker Run
Elizabeth Lowell: Fever and The Color of Death
SINGLES:
After Dark by Phillip Margolin Audio Tapes
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology
Full Bloom by Jayne Ann Krentz
Mesmerized by Gayle Lynds
On the Edge by Susan Kearney
Safe by His Side by Linda Conrad

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy



New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

SINGLES:
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013
Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)

3/25/11 Group #19---(All gone)
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 702+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.
Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:
Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Book Review: Chieftain by Command by Frances Housden

I liked the characters in this satisfactory Scottish romance. 
by Frances Housden
  • File Size: 554 KB
  • Print Length: 212 pages
  • Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd (September 1, 2014)
  • ASIN: B00M19AWGU
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Clans
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Blurb:
From the bestselling, RITA-nominated author Frances Housden comes the gripping, sensual, suspenseful follow-up to The Chieftain’s Curse...
Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King, he is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn, and an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.
Gavyn needs wealth to meet his king’s demands, and he knows of only one way to get it — with his sword. Leaving his prickly bride behind in the hands of trusted advisors, he makes his way to the battlegrounds of France and the money that can be made there.
Two years married and Kathryn is still a virgin. A resentful virgin, certain that, like her father before her, she is perfectly capable of leading the Comlyn clan. In her usurper husband’s absence, she meets the clan’s needs, advising and ruling as well as any man.
But she is an intelligent woman, and she knows the only respect and power she will ever hold will be through her husband. And to wield it, she needs to make him love her. An easy task to set, but impossible to complete, when said husband has been gone for two years, and there is no word of his return. But Kathryn is undeterred. After all, a faint heart never won a Chieftain.


Review:
Kathyrn Comlyn was only fifteen when she was thrust, by the King’s command, into a marriage to Gavyn Farquhar. Kathryn was chagrined and relieved when Gavyn only pretended to consummate the marriage before leaving for France to earn funds needed to fortify the stronghold. Kathryn has managed the affairs of the clan for the past two years but has learned that, as a woman, she can only gain respect and authority as the Chieftain’s lady wife.

Gavyn finally returns home after two years of battling and dreaming about the spitfire, reluctant wife he left behind. His unannounced arrival is greeted by an arrow shot by that wife. Although Gavyn wants to gain her companionship he fears that she may truly hate him and the circumstances that brought them together. He also has to deal with clansmen who view him and his band of mercenaries as usurpers on their lands.

Kathryn has taken Lhilidh, a young girl whose mother has recently died, as her maid. Lhilidh was raised with Nhaimeth, a dwarf, who was always thought to be a fool as a youngster but who has now grown to be a respected, intelligent and loyal man. Nhaimeth is devoted to Kathryn and Lhilidh and his two young friends, both noblemen’s sons in training, Rob and Jamie, keep an eye out for the ladies too. But no one is aware that Kathryn’s two disreputable cousins are plotting behind her back.

I liked the primary characters and many of the secondary characters added to the story. I was glad that there was intrigue and danger, with a few secrets, to fill out the romance. Unfortunately I found the pacing to be on and off, a little slow and then fast. There was annoying repetition in the themes of distrust between Kathryn and Gavyn and their unwillingness to reveal their growing affection for each other. The sexual scenes were also a bit more descriptive than I care for.

Still, the writing is sound with some rich descriptions and realistic emotional fears. Although I wasn’t enthralled, I did enjoy the overall read and would try this author again.

I received this title from Escape Publishing for an honest review. 

Monday, August 25, 2014

August Winners: The Lady's Maid, BookBlast, Romance Rides the Range, The Freezer

Congratulations to Winners!

Giveaway Ended August 17, 2014

GiveawayThe Lady's Maid, Prairie Dreams by Susan Page Davis;  
WINNER: KELLY G

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


BookBlast Giveaway: Son of War, Daughter of Chaos Giveaway $50.00 GC
Winner: Entry #3935  Sandy S.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway Ended August 23, 2014

Giveaway: The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston;
WINNERS:
a) Mobi format eBook copy of The Freezer: BN100
b) Mobi format eBook copy of the first book The Furnace: LISA
c) Five signed covers of The Freezer: LINDAK, BOOKLADY, BETH, VALERIE AND LISA
d) One TSJ Mug: SHELLY


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway Ended August 24, 2014

GiveawayRomance Rides the Range (Romance Rider Series #1) by Coleen L. Reese; WINNER: VICKI W

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALL WINNERS: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form AND if you want you can email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)]

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Mailbox Monday August 25, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.


I didn't receive or select any review books last week.
I also purchased four Kindle books and picked up many free kindle titles.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
None

Won

None

Purchased
I purchased four Kindle books that caught my eye, two for $.99 cent and two for $1.99
Sometimes titles are just so hard to resist. 

$1.99
Splendour Falls
Susanna Kearsley



Micah Caida



Secrets and Lies The Complete Trilogy 
(Secrets and Lies Trilogy Book 5)
Joanne Clancy



$1.99
Donna B McNicol

Free

Plus I downloaded another 51 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

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