Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 8, 2016

Happy Friday!
Thank you all for continued well wishes for my hubby. They finally got his blood pressure, oxygen and sugar levels in good ranges so he was discharged from the hospital (an hour away) today and moved to a rehab facility here in town that is only half a mile from our home. Much easier for me to go back and forth.
I might (hope to) be able to get a picture of the latest book group this weekend.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the July 1 Pick. There was one automatic win again this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title with a multiple block and it was won this week.
AUTO: bn100 gets Realms of Shadow

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 1 Pick:
Rita gets Never Marry a Cowboy through the block

Mary P 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.}

This works for me -- every season! 

Image found at Book People's Blog.

New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016
(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

PAIRS:
Jayne Ann Krentz: Gift of Gold and Man with a Past (spine creased) 
Linda Howard: Cover of Night and Strangers Night
SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Bodyguard and the Snitch by Christy Tillery French (autographed)
When Dashing Met Danger by Shana Galen
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
Never Marry a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath
Just The Way You Are by Donna Jordan
The Second Chair by John Lescroart (hardcover)
What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden (spine creased)
Violets are Blue by James Patterson
The Bequest by Candice Proctor
A Perilous Attraction by Patricia Francis Rowell (spine creased)
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone
SINGLES:
Servant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser


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 almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 974+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $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)

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!

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Regina Shen, Defiance by Lance Erlick

This continues to be an engaging YA, female society dystopian series.
Regina Shen: Defiance
by Lance Erlick

File Size: 2958 KB
Print Length: 292 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Finlee Augare Books (July 7, 2015)
ASIN: B01187267S
Genre: Dystopian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Outcast Regina Shen is determined to stop the Federation’s relentless attacks on her family and friends, but the stakes are much higher now.
Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner series, Regina Shen: Defiance is the third book in an action-packed, science fiction thriller with an ordinary yet strong and gutsy heroine who faces down adversity in a futuristic world filled with challenges. With the young protagonist having to grow up fast, it appeals to both young adult and adult audiences.
Abrupt climate change has melted ice caps, flooded coasts, and turned continents into deserts. The World Federation condemned Regina and her family to live on the seaward side of barrier walls built to hold back rising seas caused by abrupt climate change. Raised on swampy islands and salvage from sunken cities, including illegal print books from before the Federation, Regina defies the Federation by consuming banned books. Then she jumps the barrier into the Federation to free her sister.
The Federation’s notorious Department of Antiquities, under the command of Chief Inspector Joanne Demarco, polices barrier walls, destroys knowledge from the past to suppress dissent, and believes Regina’s DNA can stop human extinction. Now Demarco faces several ruthless rivals willing to do anything to control Regina in a worldwide power play to determine who will become the new World Premier.
Regina is determined to deny the Federation while helping friends. She has to flee from Virginia through desert and wilderness to Alaska to hunt a treasure big enough to barter for freedom for her and her sister. In the cat-and-mouse game, can she find allies and ways to escape the Federation dragnet long enough to discover something to trade?

Review:
Book three in this series reveals ‘working stiffs’, outcasts, truckers and mountain women who risk authorities to help Regina and Ester escape from the Antiquities factions who are desperate to capture Regina. Regina’s primary concern is still rescuing her sister, Colleen who has been captured again. Ester longs to settle down with Regina but that is not possible as long as Regina is on the run. So Ester continues to tag along.

There are three separate inspectors in competition to get Regina. The original Chief Inspector, Demarco, seems to want to help Regina but Regina isn’t ready to trust her. Inspector Volpe wants revenge for the foiled capture during which she was attacked by piranha. Former Inspector Wendt has gone mostly rogue and destructive.

I liked the people who are willing to help Regina and I like that she inspires and brings hope to others even though she continues to minimize her role. I am not greatly invested in the primary characters and I don’t particularly care for Ester’s rather wimpy and whiny complaints, although she has a few good moments.

The outsiders helped to keep my interest and helped the forward movement of the story. The last twenty percent of the story I was more engaged, wanting to find out what happens and where the author is taking the plot. I am interested to read book four.

I received this through iReads Book Tours.

Please check out my review for Book 1, Regina Shen: Resilience.
and Book 2, Regina Shen, Vigilance

GIVEAWAY:

Prizes: ​

Win 1 signed copy of Resilience + $15 Amazon gift card + 2 sets of postcards / 2 winners will receive a signed copy of Resilience / a free ebook copy of The Rebel Within (open to USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Audible Book Review: The Pit Stop: This Stop Could Be Life or Death by Carmen DeSousa

This is a quick, engaging mystery with a ghostly touch.

The Pit Stop: This Stop Could Be Life or Death
Written by: Carmen DeSousa
Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 1 hr and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-12-16
Publisher: Carmen DeSousa
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When what seems like a normal pit stop turns into more than just gas and food, a lost traveler finds himself searching for the truth of a 20-year-old mystery.
Detective Gino Canale doesn't believe in a hereafter, let alone ghosts looking for closure. But when his reoccurring dream implies that his grandparents' deaths might actually have been homicides, not to mention that he's hearing bells that don't exist and smelling a pipe when no one is smoking, he realizes he's either connecting to the other side - or going crazy.
And he's not sure which thought scares him more.
©2012, 2016 Carmen DeSousa (P)2016 Carmen DeSousa

Review:
Detective Gino Canale is a determined homicide detective. He has long suspected that his grandparents’ deaths were not natural. He has reoccurring dreams that point to murder and now he is smelling a pipe and hearing bells that should only be vague recollections of his memories of his grandparents and the diner known as The Pit Stop.

There is another death in a nearby jurisdiction that has similar pattern to the death of his grandparents. The local file on the twenty-year old investigation has gone missing. Gino dives in to help the neighboring homicide detective dig up clues to solve the current case and the cold case.

Gino is a natural and likeable character. The writing moves along well and I enjoyed the mystery and paranormal elements. This was a short sample but I would be interested in reading more by this author. I recommend this to mystery buffs who would like a quick read or listen.

Audio Notes: Michelle Babb does a good job with the narration, providing distinct voices and accents for the characters. The narration made this an extra enjoyable, quick listen.

I received this from the narrator for an honest review. This adds to my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Beware the Little White Rabbit Anthology

This is a wonderfully creative and entertaining anthology of “Alice” and the White Rabbit spin-off tales.
Beware the Little White Rabbit
Written by: Shannon Delany, Judith Graves
Narrated by: Rhiannon Angell

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-26-15
Publisher: Leap Books
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Curiosity often leads to trouble....
Thirteen powerful voices in young adult fiction invite you to journey into startling new wonderlands in this nod to the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll's timeless character, Alice.
Mystery. Madness. Mayhem...
Each story in this collection will intrigue, bewitch, and enchant. Through rich historicals, castles and keeps, wild wormholes, secret workshops, deadly plagues, and gritty urban explorations, we present new tales of Alice and her white rabbit.
Whether an intrepid reporter, a would-be car thief, or the last human in a world ruled by machines, at the heart of each story Alice is a girl discovering who she really is in worlds that never fail to surprise.
What wonders await, oh curious listener? Leap down the rabbit hole and discover the truth....
Contributing authors: Charlotte Bennardo, C. Lee McKenzie, David Turnbull, Christine Norris, Jacqueline Horsfall, Medeia Sharif, Laura Lascarso, Tom Luke, Jessica Bayliss, Crystal Schubert, Holly Odell, Jennifer Moore, and Liam Hogan
©2015 Leap Books (P)2015 Leap Books

Review:
This is a really fun collection of thirteen stories which spring from Alice in Wonderland and the white rabbit. At least one Amazon review gives a summary of each title so I am not going to do so beyond the brief descriptions here. I cannot name one favorite as I enjoyed so many but my favorites included: Alice through the Wormhole (Alice chasing a rabbit in space); They Call Me Alice (an adopted Chinese girl trying to fit in America); Alice, Last of the Beating Hearts (human Alice in a world of tech); Rabbit Fever (Alice in plague infested time); The Aviary (another Alice in a time of plague with a different problem); Broken Tethers (Alice meets men from various eras after chasing after the rabbit, of course); Undercover Alice (a teen Alice goes undercover for a school newspaper, helping the white rabbit); and Follow the Steam Rabbit (a bright young Alice learns from her Uncle about the dangers of creations). The others are good too and include sweet and creepy elements. Many of the stories have steampunk features.

I found each story unique and creative, making an entertaining package. The genre is linked with "teen" but don't let that deter you. Anyone who has a soft spot for Alice in Wonderland should enjoy this imaginative collection.

Audio Notes: Rhiannon Angell does a remarkable job of narrating this collection. She skillfully

changes voices and tones to fit the different stories and characters. Initially I thought there was more than one narrator. I plan to look for other books narrated by Ms. Angell.

I received this audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge.

Happy Fourth of July, 2016

I did not find the video our Sunday School teacher shared but I found this one to share.
Happy Fourth of July!


(And Happy Birthday to my Firecracker hubby!)