Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway April 30, 2010

Photo by osamu ito on Flickr

This post now repeats except for the change in number of books and deletion of picked books. :o)
PLEASE NOTE UPDATED RULES IN RED BELOW!

I am going to continue to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see each post and the book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 60 books have found new homes! YAY.  I pulled a couple of hardbacks and larger books as the postage cost was prohibitive. The list is close to 100 now so I'll add some new books next month.  :0)

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 the Friday Pick Giveaways.

I originally posted ten Friday Pick posts with 16 books each.  I will strike out the books as they are chosen. Some of the books may be chosen by winners in the SaSR weekly drawings. So it will be first pick to the one who claims it.  SaSR winners are announced Friday mornings (or afternoon if I get busy!) and it usually takes that person a bit of time to get back to me. That means the Friday Pick winner who is drawn Thursday night will usually get the choice named in their comment as I will have time to remove it from the file list before announcing the winner at SaSR.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive 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. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists (less whichever books might be picked by the comment or SaSR winners each week).  PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM SETTING A NEW CUT OFF TIME AS 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 the next Friday.
ALSO, TO SAVE ME EXTRA WORK, I WILL ASK THE WINNERS TO CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME THEIR ADDRESSES at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder over the weekend but I won't be so rushed on Fridays!  So I still recommend that you leave your e-mail especially if you are new and I don't have a way to find it!

Thanks for helping these books find a new home!!

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!

List 1
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Married at Midnight (Anthology) Kathleen Woodiwiss, Jo Beverley, Tanya Anne Crosby & Samantha James
A Jockey's Life by Dick Francis
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Net Force - One is the Loneliest Number by Tom Clancy
Everlasting by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peritti
A Time to Kill by John Girsham
Unlaced by Kristina Cook
Love in Bloom by Shelia Roberts
Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott
Jerusalem Vigil by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding
Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries
Almost Single by Advaita Kala

Pick#2
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
It Had to be you (the Gossip Girl prequel) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
Lord of a Thousand Nights by Madeline Hunter
On the Run by Iris Johansen
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross
Abandon by Carla Neggers
Shadows in the Heart - A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology *PA*
Bait by Karen Robards
The Lighthouse by Mary Schramski
Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller
Kissing Midnight by Emma Holly
The Lightkeeper by Susan Wiggs (I loved this historical romance and it got me to reading all of Susan Wiggs!)
It's Always Something by Gilda Radner - Gilda's poignant battle with cancer.
11th Hour by Bradley Warshauer

Pick #3
Put Your Dreams First - Handle your [entertainment] business HY[E]B by Thembisa Mshaka
Delivered by Christmas Anthology - Linda Howard, Joan Hohl andSandra Steffen
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
Until Prove Guilty by J.A. Jance
One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
Maverick Wild by Stacey Kane
Red Fire by Dierdre Knight
Cloud Nine by LuAnn Rice
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh
The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank
Payback by R.I. Kaiser
The Angels of Darkness by Caleb Carr
Dream in Color - How the Sanchez Sisters are Making History in Congress

Pick #4
Honeymoon by James Patterson
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Twelve Acres by Barbara Delinsky
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
CORRECTION:  This was not The Last of The Mohicans based on the Novel by James Fenimore Cooper - although I do have that;  The book in the group is The Sixth Sense (a book my son left me when he went off to the service).
A Cowboys Redemption by Jeanie Watt (PA)
Three Weeks in Paris by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Tripwire by Lee Child
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
Children of the Wild by Orson Scott Card
Until Death Do Us Part by Christine Mcquire
Warning Signs by Stephen White
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz (A)
The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes
Firestorm by Nevada Barr
Manhunt by Janet Evanovich - Audio CDs
Bloodlines by Dinah McCall (slightly creased "SC")
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
Wish You Well by David Baldacci - Audio Tapes
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Ice Hunt by James Rollins
Surrender a Dream by Jill Barnett
Irresistible by Mary Balogh
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
False Prophet by Faye Kellerman
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney (SC)

Pick #6
Best Kept Secrets by Sandra Brown - Audio CDs
Demon Rum by Sandra Brown
Tin Man by Dale Brown
Song of the Beast by Carol Berg
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
The Torment of Others by Val McDermid
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
The Hostage Bride by Jane Feather
Gypsy Lover by Edith Layton
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
The House of Women by Alison G. Taylor
The Healer by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
Desperate Duchess by Eloisa James
In Her Defense by Stepehn Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
When A Stranger Loves Me by Julianne Maclean (Autographed)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Barbarians of Malka by Justus Roux
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Wedded in a Whirlwind by Liz Fielding (Autographed)
Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey (spine frayed a bit at bottom)
Kisscut by Karen Slaughter - Audio Tape
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)
The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum 

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
The Vision by Heather Graham (sc))
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (sc)
Silent Thunder by Iris Johansen (sc)
The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
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

Pick #10
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!)

Winners of Friday Pick April 23, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners from Friday Pick April 23:

debp chose Deep Black

Cynthia chose Three Weeks in Paris

Please e-mail me with your address and choice of bookmarks (sweet/sensual only or any.)

THREE Winners of God Never Blinks!

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO THE WINNERS of God Never Blinks!

I know you will REALLY enjoy this book!

AND

Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

I will e-mail the winners to fill out the form for Hachette.

THANK YOU VALERIE and HACHETTE for this wonderful giveaway!

Book Blogger Hop April 30, 2010

This meme is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books. [Check out her new header, buttons and rating buttons!] I have the button on the sidebar in case I miss posting. This is a fun meme where lots of book bloggers and readers connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

I didn't get to do much internet hopping this past week as I was traveling and then had no internet for two days.
But here are some of the blogs that said "hi" to me or I did get to say "hi" to:

The Bookish Type  - great bookshelf background!

Heather at View From the Shoe - isn't that a cute name? Lots of family here too with 5 kids!


Laurie at Bitten by Paranormal Romance - lovely new blog design!

BLOGMANIA-Blog for Prizes April 30 TODAY ONLY

WELCOME To BLOGMANIA !

My Blog is 122 of 123.


You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY  (For One Day Only – April 30^th) .

We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing. Each blog will have a number and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Why not take a moment to make a list of blog numbers  1-123 and check off the blogs as you go -CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

MY GIVEAWAY and RULES:

I am keeping it simple: be a follower of my blog and make a comment at this post on April 30th leaving your e-mail and telling me if you are a US/Canadian entry or International entry! Entries close April 30 Midnight Central. 
For an extra entry follow me on Twitter.  

 GIVEAWAY PACKAGE:
I was going to add some items to my Treasure Chest prize packages but my camera broke this week and I have been out of town and very busy! So I increased the gift card value.
I have two packages: one International and one for US/Canada entries: 
So far each pack includes: 

• an eBook choice from eTreasures Publishing,
• a Gift Card or Book Depository book choice - value $15.00;  
• a charm bookmark or charm key chain; 
• bookmarks and more little items like pencils, erasers, stars!

 

Here are SOME Links to get you started:

(Blog- 1 – HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Between The Pages - http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/

(Blog -2 – CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) The Black Sheep Dances - http://www.theblacksheepdances.blogspot.com

(Blog-43 - CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Books, Books Everywhere - http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/

(Blog-6) Ashleyladd - http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

(Blog-27) Blackberry Jam Café - http://www.BlackberryJamCafe.blogspot.com

(Blog-34) Reading AT The Beach - http://www.readingatthebeach.com/

(Blog-54) Paper Cut Reviews - http://papercut-reviews.blogspot.com/

(Blog-90) SMS Book Reviews - http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com

(Blog-111) Deanna’s Tidbits - http://deannajewel.blogspot.com

(Blog-120) I Sew Cute and Draw Pretty Nifty Also - http://isewcute.blogspot.com/

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.  

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!! 
Don't forget to come back in September for more Blogmania! 

Check SFF for New releases in Sci Fi and Fantasy!

Simcha at SFF Chat has a great post of new releases to check out and add to your wish lists!

What are you reading on Mondays? April 26, 2010

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

I got to visit more new blogs last week for Friday's Blog Hop meme. That seems to work out easier for me at the end of the week.  I got a couple more reviews done.
Reading was a bit slower since I had family in visiting which was very nice!

Finished:

PB:  The Raindrop (The Brian D. McClure Children's Book Collection)
My 6 year old Grandson brought the book to me: "You promised to read me this one this week, Grandmom."  Who could resist?  He liked this one too.
Reviewing the two books for The Cadence Group.



Kindle2: The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch
I am glad I picked this - I enjoyed a bit of pirate intrigue this week!

Product Description

The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret. A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared's past...or still love him when the truth is revealed.

Audible - Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan, Book 8) by Kim Harrison.

I did finish this one and really liked it. I was tempted to start listening again. :)

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons,and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter--and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment--at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery.Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

Currently reading:
PB: Traction - Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
I am over half way. This book lays out a step by step plan for your business focus. Well done.
Reading and reviewing for YGR Reviews.
Product Description

Do you have a grip on your business, or does your business have a grip on you? Don't let common problems and frustrations run you and your business. Get a grip and gain control with the Entrepreneurial Operating System. Inside Traction, you'll learn the secrets of strengthening the Six Key Components of your business. You'll discover simple yet powerful ways to run your company that will give you and your leadership team more focus, more growth, and more enjoyment. Based on years of real-world implementation in over 100 companies, the Entrepreneurial Operating System is a practical method for achieving the business success you have always envisioned. Successful organizations are applying it every day to run profitable, frustration-free businesses -- and you can too.

PB: Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet by Jonathan Merritt
This is moving along quickly! The author is stressing life style not following a fad. There will be a Hachette Giveaway posted soon.

Publisher's Description

In GREEN LIKE GOD, Jonathan Merritt gently and insightfully observes that the bible has a lot to say about environmental problems like unclean water, material waste, over consumption, air pollution, and global warming. In fact, Jonathan writes that "in the book of Genesis, God went green and never looked back." Relying heavily on scripture, Jonathan gives the case for green living, but not because it's trendy and hip. Rather, it's part of living rightly as a believer. It's an act of obedience to our Creator-God.

GREEN LIKE GOD is at once practical, prescriptive, and conversational in tone. The author looks at a number of trends with tips to help the reader wade into the world of creation care living. An appendix includes suggestions of things we can do. In addition, the book includes interviews with everyday Christians to tell the story of the journey to environmental stewardship among people of faith.

This is the book that Christians are longing for and need today. Written for a new generation of Christians who are struggling with how to deal with the important issue of creation-care and green living, GREEN LIKE GOD is both highly relevant and theologically sound. It will have a profound impact on how Christians live and interact with the world today.

Kindle2:  Nothing chosen yet.

Audio CD/Audible -  Black Hills by Dan Simmons   

Just started this on my drive to the airport. Very interesting so far. Reviewing for YGR.
Description:

It is an epic tale of a Lakota Sioux named Paha Sapa ("Black Hills") whose life spans the decades of perhaps the greatest change in America's history. When Paha Sapa, a young Sioux warrior, "counts coup" on General George Armstrong Custer as Custer lies dying on the battlefield at the Little Bighorn, the legendary general's ghost enters him - and his voice will speak to him for decades to come.
Seamlessly weaving together the stories of Paha Sapa, Custer, and the American West, Dan Simmons depicts a tumultuous time in the history of both Native and white Americans. Haunted by Custer's ghost, and also by his ability to see into the memories and futures of legendary men like Sioux war-chief Crazy Horse, Paha Sapa's long life is driven by a dramatic vision he experienced as a boy in his people's sacred Black Hills.
In August of 1936, a dynamite worker on the massive Mount Rushmore project, Paha Sapa plans to silence his ghost forever and reclaim his people's legacy-on the very day FDR comes to Mount Rushmore to dedicate the Jefferson face.

Same old story:  I am still working on writing more reviews!

Upcoming books:

Uncertain Magic by Laura Kindale
This is a re-release by Sourcebooks. I can do a giveaway for this ARC too at the end of April or beginning of May.

The Brothers of Gwynedd: The Legend of the First True Prince of Wales by Edith Pargeter
I am reading this as part of the first Sourcebooks Summer Reading Club! We are reading it in sections.
My review is to be posted May 18.

Blogmania! A Day of Blog Prizes!! April 30th!

MAKE SURE YOU PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR!
This is Hosted by Between the Pages the Originator of Blogmania - A Twice Yearly Blog Extravaganza!

Coming - April 30, 2010

 
WOW! Aren’t you the lucky one! You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY  (For One Day Only).  

You literally have the chance to win hundreds of prizes. We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing for just the right blogs. Every blog you visit will have more links for you to follow, all of them with a special BLOGMANIA giveaway and just waiting for you to drop by. Each link will be set out for you to follow! Now really, isn’t this the easiest thing ever! AND SO MUCH FUN…

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site or become a blog follower. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.  

Remember! The special Blogmania prizes are only available for one day, April 30th. The number of prizes you can win is only limited by the number of blogs you visit.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

MY GIVEAWAY RULES: I will be keeping it simple - be a follower of my blog and make a comment when the official post* goes up on April 30th leaving your e-mail! (*Not this post.)  I am still putting my Treasure Chest prize package together but it will include two packs, one International and one for US/Canada entries: an eBook choice plus Gift Card or Book Depository choice; a charm bookmark or charm key chain; swag and more!

Here are some tips how to get the most of Blogmania:

1. Be at any of the blogs participating in the Blogmania Event as early as possible on April 30th.   The easiest way to find a Blogmania Blog is to look for the Blogmania Badge.  I am a late entry - #122 of total #123. So you will probably want to start at In Between the Pages which is #1 or another site if you already have seen this and picked one out!

2. This is an international event, so there will be some differences in time zones.  You might want to start early and stay late to catch all the blogs.

3. Each blog will have their own giveaway requirements. Read them carefully, follow through, and then move on as quickly as possible. If you run across a blog that you really like and want to spend some time exploring, copy their URL and then visit them after Blogmania is over.

4. There will be a 123 blogs for you to visit. Each one will post their number like this:  This is blog #122 of 123. This will help you keep track of which blogs you’ve visited, and which ones you still need to reach. I’d suggest that you prepare a blog sheet which is numbered from 1 – 123, then mark off each numbered blog as you visit them.

5. There are all types of blogs participating in Blogmania, which means that the range of items in their giveaways are diverse. I have previewed many and they are awesome.

6. Why not contact a friend and partner up. Compare notes, share loot, or organize your own friendly neighborhood Blogmania Competition.

This is our first Blogmania Event, but it isn’t our last. Blogmania is a bi-yearly Giveaway Extravaganza. In fact, our next Blogmania Event will start September 15th,  and do we have some cool stuff planned for you! So keep in touch with our Blogmania Blogs, because they will be giving sneak previews, secret codes, and who knows what else in the weeks and months ahead.

Sunday Words of Encouragment April 25, 2010

[I had to head out to the airport right after church this morning so I didn't get to post this until now.]

Our Pastor was on a brief vacation today so one of the other Pastors gave the sermon.
He asked the question: Are you pleasing God?  Then reminded us that we are not perfect and we should not worry needlessly as our pleasing God is not dependent on what we do.
If you feel you are failing and not pleasing God, rebuke the devil and recognize that God still loves you, He has a plan for you. It pleased God to send His son to save us when we are sinners. Rom 5:6; 1 Sam 12:22. It pleases God to place you where you are to serve. 1 Cor 12:18.  So the real question is how obedient are we to try to follow God's plan even though we are not ever going to be perfect?

This is a song that reminds us of God's sacrifice for us.

A Verse for today:
Colossians 1:10 (New International Version)

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

We prayed today for those who are struggling with insecurities and lies from the devil saying they are not worthy. Remember (as stated in God Never Blinks) God loves us because of who He is and not because of who we are.

Winners of Death Mill Mansion

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of Death Mill Mansion: A Lighthearted Comedy

First - Sarah E was the first to request the book for review so my copy will go to her!

Now the three winners from Random.org selection are:

Donnas


CarolNWong

and


Dr. Bill

Please send me your addresses.  Enjoy this book!

Book Blogger Hop April 23, 2010

This meme is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books.  [Check out her new header, buttons and rating buttons!]  I have the button on the sidebar in case I miss posting.  This is a fun meme where lots of  book bloggers and readers connect to find new blogs to read.  It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends!  Your blog should  have  content related to books,  including, but not limited to book  reviews.
Here are some of the blogs I visited this past week.

Elle at Media Molly - the site may qualify as "new" but looks like she has jumped right into the blogging world with no problem!

Leanna at  Daisy Chain Book Reviews - another new site who looks like she'll do just fine! Based out of Ireland - I hope Leanna will post some lovely pics of Ireland.

Anna at Brimful Bookshelves - great name and another nice banner!

Simcha at SFF Chat - Lots of Sci Fi and Fantasy here!  And a great little reader pic and quote on the sidebar. Based in Israel!

Carrie at In the Hammock - wonderful Vintage designs at her blog.

Alexandra at Stories from my Bookshelf - check out reviews of lovely Christian stories. Also check the inspirational bookmarks she makes!

Well I just learned that the blog hop linky connects through any of the posts. SO you can add your link here if you want and it will appear on all the lists!

Here are the rules from Crazy for Books:

Please use the following format when entering your link below (be careful - I don't always have time to go in and edit your link!!):

NAME OF BLOG (How long you've been blogging; what genres you PRIMARILY review)
I know a lot of us read all different genres, but if you had to choose ONE OR TWO genres that you review more often than others, what would they be??

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway April 23, 2010

Hanging Books-Lost Library by Myintaky

This post now repeats except for the change in number of books and deletion of picked books. :o)
PLEASE NOTE UPDATED RULES IN RED BELOW!

I am going to continue to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see each post and the book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 58 books have found new homes! YAY.  I pulled a couple of hardbacks and larger books as the postage cost was prohibitive. The list is close to 100 now so I'll add some new books next month.  :0)

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 the Friday Pick Giveaways.

I originally posted ten Friday Pick posts with 16 books each.  I will strike out the books as they are chosen. Some of the books may be chosen by winners in the SaSR weekly drawings. So it will be first pick to the one who claims it.  SaSR winners are announced Friday mornings (or afternoon if I get busy!) and it usually takes that person a bit of time to get back to me. That means the Friday Pick winner who is drawn Thursday night will usually get the choice named in their comment as I will have time to remove it from the file list before announcing the winner at SaSR.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive 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. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists (less whichever books might be picked by the comment or SaSR winners each week).  PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM SETTING A NEW CUT OFF TIME AS 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 the next Friday.
ALSO, TO SAVE ME EXTRA WORK, I WILL ASK THE WINNERS TO CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME THEIR ADDRESSES at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder over the weekend but I won't be so rushed on Fridays!  So I still recommend that you leave your e-mail especially if you are new and I don't have a way to find it!

Thanks for helping these books find a new home!!

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!

List 1
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Married at Midnight (Anthology) Kathleen Woodiwiss, Jo Beverley, Tanya Anne Crosby & Samantha James
A Jockey's Life by Dick Francis
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Net Force - One is the Loneliest Number by Tom Clancy
Everlasting by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peritti
A Time to Kill by John Girsham
Unlaced by Kristina Cook
Love in Bloom by Shelia Roberts
Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott
Jerusalem Vigil by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding
Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries
Almost Single by Advaita Kala

Pick#2
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
It Had to be you (the Gossip Girl prequel) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
Lord of a Thousand Nights by Madeline Hunter
On the Run by Iris Johansen
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross
Abandon by Carla Neggers
Shadows in the Heart - A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology *PA*
Bait by Karen Robards
The Lighthouse by Mary Schramski
Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller
Kissing Midnight by Emma Holly
The Lightkeeper by Susan Wiggs (I loved this historical romance and it got me to reading all of Susan Wiggs!)
It's Always Something by Gilda Radner - Gilda's poignant battle with cancer.
11th Hour by Bradley Warshauer

Pick #3
Put Your Dreams First - Handle your [entertainment] business HY[E]B by Thembisa Mshaka
Delivered by Christmas Anthology - Linda Howard, Joan Hohl andSandra Steffen
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
Until Prove Guilty by J.A. Jance
One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
Maverick Wild by Stacey Kane
Red Fire by Dierdre Knight
Cloud Nine by LuAnn Rice
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh
The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank
Payback by R.I. Kaiser
The Angels of Darkness by Caleb Carr
Dream in Color - How the Sanchez Sisters are Making History in Congress

Pick #4
Honeymoon by James Patterson
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Twelve Acres by Barbara Delinsky
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
CORRECTION:  This was not The Last of The Mohicans based on the Novel by James Fenimore Cooper - although I do have that;  The book in the group is The Sixth Sense (a book my son left me when he went off to the service).
A Cowboys Redemption by Jeanie Watt (PA)
Three Weeks in Paris by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Tripwire by Lee Child
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
Children of the Wild by Orson Scott Card
Until Death Do Us Part by Christine Mcquire
Warning Signs by Stephen White
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz (A)
The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes
Firestorm by Nevada Barr
Manhunt by Janet Evanovich - Audio CDs
Bloodlines by Dinah McCall (slightly creased "SC")
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
Wish You Well by David Baldacci - Audio Tapes
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Ice Hunt by James Rollins
Surrender a Dream by Jill Barnett
Irresistible by Mary Balogh
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
False Prophet by Faye Kellerman
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney (SC)

Pick #6
Best Kept Secrets by Sandra Brown - Audio CDs
Demon Rum by Sandra Brown
Tin Man by Dale Brown
Song of the Beast by Carol Berg
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
The Torment of Others by Val McDermid
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
The Hostage Bride by Jane Feather
Gypsy Lover by Edith Layton
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
The House of Women by Alison G. Taylor
The Healer by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
Desperate Duchess by Eloisa James
In Her Defense by Stepehn Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
When A Stranger Loves Me by Julianne Maclean (Autographed)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Barbarians of Malka by Justus Roux
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Wedded in a Whirlwind by Liz Fielding (Autographed)
Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey (spine frayed a bit at bottom)
Kisscut by Karen Slaughter - Audio Tape
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)
The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum 

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
The Vision by Heather Graham (sc))
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (sc)
Silent Thunder by Iris Johansen (sc)
The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
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

Pick #10
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!)

Winners of Friday Pick April 16, 2010

Sorry to post late! Family in to visit and rush day at work! Finally got to pick winners for announcing!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

the winners of Friday Pick April 16, 2010.

DINA

Dina chose Nights in Rodanthe

and

LINDA K

Linda chose The Guardian

What are the chances! Both books that were chosen were by Nicholas Sparks!

Ladies- please e-mail me with your snail mail address and preference for bookmarks: only sweet and sensual or mixed with bookmarks for erotica books.

The new Friday Pick post will go up a little bit later tonight.

Review and Giveaway - The 8th Confession by James Patterson

The 8th Confession (The Women's Murder Club)

Author: James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (February 23, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 0446561339
• ISBN-13: 978-0446561334

Rating: 4.0

Description from Author's site:
It's the only Murder Club episode this year, and Lindsay, Cindy, Yuki, and Claire are overwhelmed. A killer picks off San Francisco's super-rich one by one–without a leaving so much as shred of evidence behind. And a street preacher and patron saint to the homeless is brutally beaten and left to die. What secrets lurk behind his mantle of holiness? Meanwhile, danger strikes close to home when an unexpected romance threatens to tear the girls apart. In the 8th Women's Murder Club, the stakes are high, but the truth is shrouded. Who will confess?

REVIEW: I enjoyed this fast pace addition to the Women’s Murder Club series.  There is a lot of action and a lot going on with the characters.

This eighth book in the series starts off with a bang - in the nature of a bus explosion. It all gets tied in later. Lindsay, the tough San Francisco homicide detective, is busy searching for clues to find an elusive killer of the rich and famous. Cindy, the reporter, is like a dog with a bone as she takes up the cry to investigate the brutal killing of a homeless man whose murder would otherwise fall through the cracks. Yuki, the passionate District Attorney, is busy trying to convict a killer in court and save her job in while coping with lots of emotional stress. Claire, the medical examiner, is not as out front in this book but she is still a source of support and strength for Lindsay and the other women.

There are emotional stories intertwined with the four women as the two crimes are being solved. Yuki becomes romantically involved only to discover a major impediment to her relationship. Cindy also becomes involved (not sure how romantic the relationship is) but her lover has ties to Lindsay that make this a source of friction that has to be resolved.  Lindsay herself has to come to terms with some of her emotional walls.

The book moves at a good clip, bouncing in quick chapters (yes - I really do like short chapters!) from criminal elements to emotional scenes.  I definitely liked this book better than book #7 which I found to be disjointed and not satisfying at the end. The 8th confession kept my attention so I was eager to find out what would happen. I found it to be a solid and satisfactory contribution to the series.

If you are not familiar with the series I would recommend starting at the beginning so you have the full background and nuances of the relationships between the characters.  I have to say too that I do appreciate reading a cop/crime series with minimal bad language.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the Book:

1.a) If you are familiar with this series, tell me who is your favorite character and briefly why? Or
b) Check out the Author's Website and tell me something about the Women's Murder Club series or the characters that you learn there.OR
c) Check out the video interview on The James Patterson Community and comment on that.

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.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Three total entries possible.)  MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

THANK YOU AGAIN TO HACHETTE AND VALERIE for providing the book for me to read and providing the books for Giveaway!

* 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 May 12, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.