Giveaway - Three Copies Audio CD ABSOLUTE POWER by David Baldacci

I am now listening to this one - on Disc 3. The preface and disc 1 were awesome! I am not going to watch the movie again until after I listen to the whole book! I have a feeling it is much better than the movie which I haven't seen for a number of years.

ABSOLUTE POWER by David Baldacci
Publisher's Summary
In a heavily guarded mansion in a posh Virginia suburb, a man and a woman start to make love, trapping Luther Whitney, a career break-in artist, behind a secret wall. Then the passion turns deadly, and Luther is running into the night. Because what he has just seen is a brutal murder involving Alan Richmond, the president of the United States.
How far will the government go to protect the president?
Set in Washington, D.C., this fascinating thriller of unparalleled suspense dares to explore an unthinkable abuse of power and criminal conspiracy: a vicious murder involving the President and a cover-up orchestrated by his most trusted aides. One unlikely witness saw everything, but will America ever learn the truth?
This riveting debut novel of murder, honor, loyalty and betrayal reaches into the highest echelon of power... and the lowest depth of deception.
• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570423571
• ISBN-13: 978-1570423574

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the AUDIO CD:

1. Comment here telling me - would you read the book or audio book before you see the movie Absolute Power for the first time or again if you have seen it before? Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Three total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO HACHETTE AND ANNA!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on February 23, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 31, 2010

We had a really awesome service this morning! Our congregation is probably about 200 strong on Sundays. We have a men's group that meets Tuesday mornings at 5:45 consisting of about 15 to 18 men. There is another 15 or so who meet for the Wednesday night Bible study - maybe half of them overlap.

Some of the men gave testimonies on how the men's ministry is changing their lives! Then 25 men filled the alter to pray for our children. They closed with the Lord's Prayer and then sang Amazing Grace.... Very Awesome!

I couldn't find the song I really wanted for today but this is another uplifting song for our times!!  

These Are the Days of Elijah!

Verses for today:
Proverbs 4:10 - 11

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

Chapter 4 is about asking for wisdom! I may have prayed this before (and probably will again!) - I pray that we ask for wisdom in our daily living.

Five Winners of Seduced by a Rogue!

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO THE FIVE WINNERS OF SEDUCED BY A ROGUE 

by Amanda Scott!

AND

I will e-mail the winners to respond within 72 hours!
Thank you to Hachette and Anna for this Giveaway!

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick 1/30/10

 

Another Book sculpture picture from TimTom

Welcome to week #10 of Friday Pick!!  I have adjusted the Friday Pick link so that you will only get the actual Giveaway posts and not the winner posts.  That way you can look through the 10 posts of books.  Of course #6 included 1-5 so you don't need to go back beyond 6.  Use the links to see the pictures and the lists of the books still available.  

As I stated last week this will be the last new post of books for a bit while we let some of these current books get won and mailed to new homes!! I'll still post the Giveaway each Friday and maybe next week I will restate the books that are left --- if I get time! :=)

Remember for the overseas participants I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. Overseas visitors your comment may indicate your choice of gift card.

Night by Elie Wiesel
Cruel & Unusual by Patricia Cornwell (slightly creased -sc)
The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)
Double Blind by Ken Goodard
Fool's Paradise by Tori Phillips
Deep Black by Stephen Coonts
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodwiss (spine creased)
A Stranger in The House by Gloria Murphy
The Hunter by Gennita Low (sc)
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)
Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
The Aristocrat by Catherine Coulter (I have most of her books and this is a duplicate!)

Have fun picking a book!!
Happy Reading!

Winner of Tuesday's Comment Giveaway!

 

A BIG THANKS to so many authors and bloggers who commented on Tuesday's topic.  It was a great discussion and I appreciate all the different views!

The Winner from the drawing is:

Congratulations!  Please e-mail me with your choice of a book from the Friday Picks

Winners of Friday Pick 1/22/10!

Congratulations to Winners of Friday Pick January 22!

AND

Buuklover chose the book Ice Hunt by James Rollins.

Nicole needs to pick a book and let me know which one!!

@#%^&*- Is That REAL Language?

 "REAL LANGUAGE"?????

This is my SaSR R&R Tuesday post -- not fully a rant but more an extension on the REALISM topic from last week!

So this is my question --- do books need to have all the bad language and cuss words to be considered "real"?  A while back I had e-mailed an author and pointed out that although I really liked the action and plot in her book I didn't like the language.  She responded that it was "real language" with a bit of an indication that I was NOT real!!

I was raised in a pretty conservative home and when I was in high school I was referred to as a "goodie two shoes" on occasion. [Hmmm - wonder where that phrase comes from?]
There was not much swearing at our house that I can recall.  Somewhere along the way I made a conscious decision not to use swear words.  Heck, darn and drat are about as harsh as I get!  I don't even like to say 'crap' even though my kids rooms might have looked like that sometimes when they were teens!  I just don't find the need to use rough language to express myself.  

So needless to say I wonder why bad words have to be so prevalent in books. I understand that there is likely to be bad language in a cop story. [Unless it is inspirational - they manage just fine without bad language!!]  I have read some good PI stories where there is some language but the book isn't peppered with it - just a word or five out of the whole book.  However there are other books where it seems like it is every tenth (or even fiftieth) word and I don't like it!! [And if cops really talk that way all the time I sure am glad I don't have to work around them!!]

Then lets look at contemporaries.... again - I don't like it but I find it more and more.  A couple of months ago I tried to read a fantasy story by a popular author and couldn't get past the first chapter because of course language. I had read several books by another author then I listened to one last year which was a cop story with a lot of bad language.  I haven't been inclined to pick her books up again and may end up giving away a half dozen or so that I had collected. 

I really find it hard to swallow foul words in historical romance!  Okay so maybe the people in the streets would have used gutter language and maybe the gents would have too.  But I would just a soon not read it!

If I have accepted a review book then I will get through it but I am likely to make a note near the end of the review that it contains rough, raw, crude or swear language depending on the severity! I will also not steamy, graphic or explicit sex.  Why do I note those aspects??? Because I think there may be some other readers out there who may want to be forewarned about the language or the explicitness.

I guess I want my reading to be escapism that softens the harsh realities of the world! I like the rose colored glasses!
So how do YOU feel about bad language in books???

Again this week there will be a drawing from all comments made on this post - leave your e-mail please so I can reach you!  I will draw a winner Friday morning to chose a book from the Friday Pick books!

Mailbox Monday January 25, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia
at The Printed Page

I received two "win" books this week

I won Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton from Mom's Mutterings.

Thank you Pam and Hachette!

Product Description

Amazing news has spread across the Scottish countryside. The most famous of highland bachelors, police sergeant Hamish Macbeth, may actually marry at last. The entire village of Lochdubh adores Macbeth's bride-to-be. Josie McSween is Hamish's new constable, and she is a pretty little thing, with glossy brown hair and big brown eyes. The local folk think that Josie is quite a catch, but Hamish couldn't be more miserable.

The wedding wouldn't be happening if it weren't for the murder of a beautiful woman in a nearby village. After the gorgeous woman receives a deadly Valentine's Day gift, Hamish and Josie take on the case. However, they soon discover that the list of the victim's admirers is endless. The case confirms Hamish's belief that love is extremely dangerous, but he still can't avoid the events that lead up to his celebrated engagement.

I also won Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl on a Tweet Contest!

Thank you Victoria!

The wrong man just might be her perfect fit... Primal attraction is a big red flag to prim and proper office manager, Jane Morgan. After a rough childhood with a mother who liked her men in prison jumpsuit orange, Jane changed her name, her look and her taste for bad boys. So why is she lusting for William Chase with his tattoo-covered biceps, steel-toed boots and unadulterated sex appeal?

The man blows things up for a living!

She gives herself one explosive, fantasy-filled night with Chase. The next day, it’s back to plain Jane and safe men.But when her beloved brother becomes a murder suspect, and her lawyer ex-boyfriend won’t help, Jane turns to Chase. And she discovers a man who’s been around the block knows a thing or two about uncovering all kinds of truths.

What are you Reading January 25, 2010

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog
I did do some reviews this past week but I am still behind.



[Note re codes: YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review. There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]


Finished:

PB: Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye. She is willing to teach "Mr. Perfect" how to clean up after himself and how to cook. But she is not sure she wants to send him back to his ex girlfriend after he is nicely trained! This was a fun read!! Review to be sent to CR this week.

Kindle2:  Relative Danger by Terry Spear.  "Sexy murder mystery full of twists and turns."  I really liked this one too. Review to be sent to YGR.

A bit awkward on these two books as they both had rich heroines a bit reluctant to get into a relationship.  I try not to read similar plots at the same time!  Fortunately there were sufficient differences that there was really no confusion!

Audible: ---------

Audio CD:  Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb. I liked this so much I will probably start another in this series!  My own TBR pile - I'll do a review here at MBS.

**************************

Currently reading:

PB: Truly Madly by Heather Webber.  Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.  Starting out as definitely another fun read! Reviewing for CR.

Next up: The Key

Kindle2:  An American Rose Christmas Looks like an historical anthology I will like! Reviewing for YGR.

Audible: On hold - Unless I decide to start Naked in Death by J.D. Robb which is the first Lt. Eve Dallas book!

Audio CD:  Divided in Death by J.D. Robb.  I know its out of chronological order but I liked the last one so much I want to listen to another!  It is earlier than the last one so I will be interested how the characters Roarke and Lt. Eve Dallas interact. My own TBR pile.

Some More Book Blog Giveaways!

Here are some other January Giveaways to check out!

A Follower Giveaway for $20.00 spree

at Book Depository by TinasBookReviews!  Ends 1/25/10

Reading for Sanity is having a giveaway of Evernight! Ends 1/31/10.

Check out many linked Giveaways

at Just Another New Blog's Link your Giveways Saturday! 

Mine aren't on there yet.... too little time to do everyting!

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks is

having Michelle's Romantic Birthday Giveaway.

Three winners chose from some very nice books! Open Internationally! Ends 2/2/10.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 24, 2010

Our Pastor concluded his message this morning on Reigniting Your Passion for God.  One story he shared was interesting. A man struggling with anger said his battle  was like a black dog with bad things and a white dog with good things and they were always fighting each other.  When asked which was winning, he replied: "The one I feed!"  Think about that... what thoughts do you entertain??

One of our praise songs today is a wonderful reminder to Praise God in all things!  Blessed Be His Name!

Since this is Sanctity of Life Sunday the verses today are a favorite passage I love to recall!  If you get the chance read ALL of Psalm 139 -- it is awesome!

Psalms 139: 13-17

 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.

 ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 ¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

 ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!

My prayer today is for unborn children everywhere and those struggling with difficult decisions - may you seek and Trust God to help!

Three Winners of Calendars!

Many of the entrants were interested in the Cat Calendar!! I have some more cat items to giveaway so keep an eye open for those!!

Congratulations to the Winners:

The Maxine Calendar goes to

The Psalms Calendar goes to

and The Meaning of Meow goes to

I am e-mailing the winners for address info to be provided within 72 hours!

Oh - I forgot to comment  (-- even with notes under my nose- jeepers!!)  I thought Virginia's cat symbol "signature" was very cute!! :)

The Body Finder - Trailer and Contest Link! BUT HURRY!

Check this out! THE BODY FINDER by Kimberly Derting. It looks very good!! And there is a contest - see the info and link below the video!!

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a signed ARC, a $15 gift card to the online bookseller of their choice, and The Body Finder swag pack (including poster, tote bag, bookmarks, and stickers). YAY!!!

Second Place will also receive a signed ARC, a $10 gift card to online bookseller, and a swag pack.

There will also be three winners of the $10 gift card and swag packs!!!!

Sorry I didn't see this in the blog world sooner!  It ends January 23, 2010 so hurry to enter here!

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick 1-22-10

Trinity College Library Picture by TimTom on Flickr

TimTom has wonderfully different book pictures! Thanks TimTom!

This is post #9 with a new set of books!! You can also choose from the books left from pick#1, pick#2, pick#3, pick #4, pick #5  - all of which I restated with pick #6; pick #7 and pick #8. Use the links to see the pictures and the lists of the books still available.  I have also put a Friday Pick link in the upper right hand sidebar for easy access.

It looks like I may do one more post with a new set of books and then we will work on giving away the books that remain from those initial 160 that have been listed!  That will give me time to read a few more before I start to pull books to giveaway from my TBR shelves!! *BG*

Remember for the overseas participants I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. Overseas visitors your comment may indicate your choice of gift card.

Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
The Closers by Michael Connelly
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
The Rogue and the Rival by Maya Rodale (Personally Autographed)
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
Her Highness My Wife by Victoria Alexander
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murrray
Darkfall by Stephen Laws
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Grace in Autumn by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt
The Lottery Winner by Mary Higgins Clark
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes
Vanity by Jane Feather

Winner from REALISM Comments!

THANK YOU everyone who commented on the Realsim post earlier this week!!  They were all great comments!  I will do more of those in the future to get you guys commenting a bit and sharing good thoughts!!!

The winner gets to pick a book from the Friday Pick books!  By the way - I put a Friday Pick link on the right sidebar for easy access! :)

Congratulations to the randomly picked winner:

T, please e-mail me with a book selection and your snail mail addy!!

Winners of Friday Pick 1-15-2010

CONGRATULATIONS
WINNERS OF JANUARY 15, 2010 FRIDAY PICK!

AND

Mystica gets a gift card of $5.00. She'll have to contact me as I do not have an e-mail.

Haleyknitz chose Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I have e-mailed her!