Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 28, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]
{This is posting late since I went to bed before 10pm.]  I hope to add another set of books next weekend.

It is 7pm as I prepare this and I am getting tired... and cold with the cold snap today and tonight. I am ready for spring aren't you?
  
Chemo #3 on Thursday went well. I didn't have the medicine that knocked me out last treatment. I worked during the afternoon and went to an Open House for the Infusion Center at 5pm. 


More details at My Cancer Journey. 

[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 February 21 Pick. There were two 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 still with multiple picks again.
Carol M gets Exit Strategies
Emily gets See Jane Lead

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 21 Pick:
Nikki gets a GC

Rima 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.}

Isn't this great? Kids reading books from an exchange box!

Image found through Mary Balogh's facebook.

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Swimming Without a Net by Mary Jane Davidson
Exit Strategies by Catherine Todd
Perfection in Pearls by Madeline Hunter
The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Sandhill Dreams by Cara Putman
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright
Dare Me Anthology, Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis and Julie Elizabeth Leto
All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
A Writer's Dream & A Cowboy's Heart by Vickie Kennedy


New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013

PAIRS:
Rachel Lee
     A Conrad County Homecoming and Boots & Badges
SINGLES:
Renegade Heart by Madeline Baker
Shades of Scarlet by Linda Fallon
Legendary Warrior by Donna Fletcher
Found Money by James Grippando - Abridged Cassette Audio
Every Whispered Word by Karyn Monk
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Hawk's Pursuit by Connie O'Banyon
Tides of Passion by Tracy Sumner
Guarded Secrets by Rebecca York and B.J. Daniels

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013

Pairs gone
SINGLES:
Father for Keeps by Ana Seymour
Crimson Rain by Meg O’Brien

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013

Singles:
Silver Feather by Cassie Edwards (pictured and in box but missed the listing.)
Something Extra by Janet Dailey

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
      (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf (won 1/10 by rubynreba)

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
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.
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl

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
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing
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
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.
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
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
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 631+ 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  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

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
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
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)

Book Review: Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) by A. American

This is another engrossing episode to this action-packed series.

Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
by A. American

• File Size: 705 KB
• Print Length: 528 pages
• Publisher: Plume (June 25, 2013)
• Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
• ASIN: B00DMBMRYG

Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Book 2 of The Survivalist Series
No electricity. No running water. No food. No end in sight. If life as you knew it changed in an instant, would you be prepared?

In A. American’s first novel, Going Home, readers were introduced to Morgan Carter, the resourceful, tough-as-nails survivalist who embarks on a treacherous 250-mile journey across Florida following the collapse of the nation’s power grid. Now reunited with his loving wife and daughters in this follow-up to Going Home, Morgan knows that their happiness is fleeting, as the worst is yet to come. Though for years Morgan has been diligently preparing for emergency situations, many of his neighbors are completely unready for life in this strange new world—and they’re starting to get restless.

With the help of his closest companions, Morgan fights to keeps his home secure—only to discover shocking information about the state of the nation in the process.

Fans of James Wesley Rawles, William R. Forstchen's One Second After, and The End by G. Michael Hopf will revel in A. American's apocalyptic tale.

Review:
Book Two picks up where Book One ended, with our characters having arrived home to their families. Now they have to sort how they will proceed to protect their families in their own communities. Very quickly there are those who didn’t prepare seeking handouts from others and threatening to take what they feel they need. Morgan takes a firm stance against those who might try to steal from his family or who threaten them. This creates bad feelings with some of the other residents. The deputy sheriff in the community won’t back Morgan nor make strong decisions. There are moments of coming together but then there are raiders who attack and Morgan puts out a call to Sarge for help.

Thad was pretty isolated with his family and a neighbor who had a nice little farm. He helps out the older farmer who provides food supplies in exchange. Then thieves attack the old man and Thad has to make hard decisions. Next government in the form of a postal worker with a security guard comes knocking on the door to give Thad and his wife assignments in a work camp. Thad has prepared his family to run but the men return before he can get his family out safely. Thad seeks revenge before heading out to join Morgan.

Meanwhile Sarge and the guys are moving from camp to camp as they are hunted by enemies and trying to join up with friendly forces. They finally get assignments to act as raiders when they find the opportunity and they combine that assignment with responding to Morgan’s call for help.

This story really causes one to think how you would respond in similar circumstances. There is great opportunity for fear of neighbors, raiders and the government. There is a fine balance of trying to help while still maintaining a protective base for your own loved ones. There are some brutal and gruesome scenes that some readers might shy away from but I still recommend reading and skimming those sections if the reader is squeamish.

This read very quickly considering the number of pages. I was so engrossed in this episode that I was startled and dismayed when it came to an end with a surprising cliff hanger! I will definitely be picking up the next books in the series!

I received this title for review through NetGalley.

Audible Book Review: Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1 by A. American

I like this addition to the end-of-the-world genre - I found it very engaging and a good listen.
Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1

• Written by: A. American
• Narrated by: Duke Fontaine
• Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins 
• • Series: Survivalist, Book 1
• Format: Unabridged


Release Date:10-28-13
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: End of the World, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
If society collapsed, could you survive?
When Morgan Carter's car breaks down 250 miles from his home, he figures his weekend plans are ruined. But things are about to get much, much worse: The country's power grid has collapsed. There is no electricity, no running water, no Internet, and no way to know when normalcy will be restored - if it ever will be.
An avid survivalist, Morgan takes to the road with his prepper pack on his back. During the grueling trek from Tallahassee to his home in Lake County, chaos threatens his every step but Morgan is hell-bent on getting home to his wife and daughters - and he'll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Fans of James Wesley Rawles, William R. Forstchen's One Second After, and The End by G. Michael Hopf will revel in A. American's apocalyptic tale.
©2013 A. American (P)2013 Penguin Audiobooks

Review:
Morgan is in north Florida when something terrible goes wrong causing all electronics to die. Modern cars don’t work, phones don’t work; there is no electricity anywhere so no lights, no refrigerators, no running water. Morgan happens to be a survivalist enthusiast so he has always carried a prepared pack. It doesn’t take him long to realize that this isn’t just a local or temporary blackout. He takes his pack and heads out on foot to make the 250 mile trek home to Lake County in mid Florida where his wife and three girls will be anxiously waiting..

Morgan plans to make the trip alone but soon gets a tag along of a young college girl, Jess, who is trying to get home to the Ocala area. A bit further along they are joined by a burly black man, Thad, who needs to go to the Tampa suburbs. The two men are pretty formidable and even Jess adds extra hands to the work load and the security details that are clearly needed. The trio manage to get an old truck to help them on their trip but they will have to fight to keep that and their gear. There are clusters of people who are just sadly pathetic, looking for handouts, but other groups are violently aggressive seeking to take what they can.

Thad was a trucker and used to chat on the radio with a tough old military fellow he knows as Sarge. When Morgan is injured in an ambush Thad manages to get them to Sarge’s house, which is more like a mini military compound. Sarge is joined by three military men, Mike, Ted and Doc, who have gone awol from a government troop that isn’t right. Instead of giving aid the government is scaring people into camps which are more like concentration camps than a refuge.

I really found this story engaging with the survival gear and the basic realities of life without electronics. It also distinguishes between the range of people-good, lazy and evil-and how they might react to a world without power. The story is very much character driven with Morgan being the strong-minded man who will do what it takes, with a hard attitude, to get home to his family. Jess is a cheerful girl who thinks she is ready to face the trek but soon learns that life is going to be much harder and more brutal than she was prepared for. Thad is a friendly, kind and loving man. But even he learns that sometimes you have to be tougher than the next guy to survive. Sarge is a crusty old warrior with his team of commandos who are ready to hide and fight against corruption.

The writing is straight forward and quick reading/listening. There is obviously quite a bit of violence and gun fights and some foul language in typical scenes.

Audio Notes: I found this to be a really good listen and was anxious to keep listening when ever I could. I thought Duke Fontaine did a good job with the different voices and the nuances of the characters. If you enjoy end of the world scenarios this is a good addition to the genre and the audio moves it along at a good pace.

I picked this up at Audible to listen before reading Book 2 for NetGalley

Audible Book Review: Ghost Hunter by Jayne Castle

A good paranormal romance but not such a great listen.

Ghost Hunter

Written by: Jayne Castle

• Narrated by: Laural Merlington
• Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins 
• • Series: Ghost Hunters, Book 3
• Format: Unabridged


Release Date:10-17-08
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Where deadly energy ghosts lurk in the ruins of an ancient alien civilization.
Where dust bunnies prove to be loyal pets.
And where a ghost hunter will discover that a woman's heart is the most dangerous adversary of all...
Local Guild boss and powerful ghost-hunter Cooper Boone is everything botanist Elly St. Clair could ask for - the handsome, strong, and silent type. Maybe too silent. For when Guild secrets threaten her career at the college, Elly has to call off their marriage - and leave small-town life behind...
But starting over in the thriving metropolis of Cadence City isn't easy, especially when one of Elly's new friends disappears in the eerie catacombs beneath the streets. Cooper turns up just in time to help Elly investigate. And as the mystery deepens and dangerous ghost myths and legends come to light, Cooper makes it clear he intends to stick around - and this time he's holding nothing back...
(P)2006 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Elly often feels like an underachiever in her family of strong psi-gifted family of ghost hunters. Elly does have a psi-gift but it is with plants which even her family, not to mention the professionals, discount as a form of madness. Because of her family, Elly is a prime marital catch for anyone looking to gain position and influence in her local guild. Elly became engaged to Cooper because she was immediately attracted to him. However, Cooper is the new Guild boss and is often too busy to spend time with her. He has canceled several dates and has barely kissed her during their six month engagement. When Elly learns that Cooper basically fought a duel over her she is concerned about the scandal. She is even more concerned when Cooper shows little interest or understanding of her feelings. She feels the best way to get over him, or maybe stir his emotions if possible, is to move away.

Six months later Cooper shows up in Elly’s new community claiming to have some business to take care of. Cooper has always been focused and driven to reach his goals. He succeeded in business and now he has to find a way to succeed in his personal and emotional life. He isn’t ready to tell Elly that she is his important business but he is ready to try to win her back. Fortunately he has arrived just in time to use his skills to help her find a missing friend in the dangerous catacombs and tunnels that exist underground, left behind from a prior alien society.

I thought this series, with extra sensory skills and archaeological elements would be interesting. I enjoyed the mystery, danger and the romantic conflict and although there are some fun features -the dust bunnies - I wasn’t overly impressed with this one. That may have been due to the narration which was a bit of a whine for me or it may be that my tastes are shifting from romance to more action and suspense.

I have enjoyed a number of romances, contemporary and historical and some paranormal stories by Ms Castle (aka Jayne Krentz, aka Amanda Quick). I will give the first book in this series a try just to make sure.

Audio Notes: I was disappointed with this narrator who made the whole reading sound too blaise or too whiney. It detracted from the story this time as I see that I liked the story elements but was glad when I finished the audio.

I've had this in my Audible library for a while. 

Audible Book Review: Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb

Another intense investigation with Eve and Roarke
Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8

• Written by: J. D. Robb
• Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
• Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins 
• • Series: In Death, Book 8
• Format: Unabridged





Release Date:05-20-08
Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genre: Mystery, Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a sidewalk sleeper, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But in the heat of a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas' job is suddenly on the line. Now her hands are tied...between a struggle for justice - and a fight for her career.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Eve Dallas faces a skilled, clearly arrogant surgeon in this eighth installment. Someone is killing the homeless and unwanted in society - those whom some police consider not worth much effort in investigation. The deaths are done with laser-perfect precision removing organs which would seem to be damaged. Since the organs have no worth on a black market what could be the purpose?

Eve finds at the first scene a street officer, Bowers, who went to Academy with Eve although Eve doesn’t remember her much. But Bowers remembers Eve and is extremely bitter at Eve’s successful career. Bowers is about to cause major trouble for Eve accusing her of a wide range of inappropriate behavior including bigotry, abuse and sleeping her way to the top. Eve doesn’t care about Bowers’ insubordinate, bad attitude except to the extent it obstructs Eve’s investigation because it is clear that Bowers could care less about the homeless and prostitute victims.

Eve is putting unappreciated pressure on the creme of the surgical community and slowly uncovering a history of like crimes that begin to give her clues to a motive. Unfortunately, just as she is getting closer to the killer, Eve is devastated when Bowers’ distracting reports lead to a suspension for the possible murder of Bowers! Taking away her badge is equal to taking away the identity that Eve managed to create for herself.

It takes support, both technical and emotional, from Roarke to see Eve through this trouble and help her solve the medical crime. As always there is plenty of action, could rapport with Eve’s team and wonderful personal interaction with Roarke.

Audio notes: Susan Ericksen does a fabulous job with this series. She makes a good mystery even better with exceptional emotional intensity and personality to the voices. I really enjoy listening to this series!

I picked this from my own Audible Library.