Winners of The Gaurdian, Winner of Hood and Winner of Fancy Pants

Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways.

CONGRATULATIONS

to THREE Winners of

The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) 

by Margaret Mallory

Lady Vampire, Anita Y and Judy H please email me with your mailing info for Hachette.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner of
 Hood (The King Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

by Stephen R. Lawhead

Vidisha - Please email me with your address and let me know if you want any bookmarks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner of

 

Beverly - Please email with your address and let me know if you want any bookmarks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 29, 2011

Our Pastor did a sermon today to honor Memorial Day. It was entitled "We Will Remember." Pastor told us a story of early Memorial Day celebration* and reminded us that the purpose is to remember those who died in service of our nation - so that we will never forget.
Pastor then reminded us how every Sunday is a memorial day to remember our blessings. He pointed out many blessings enumerated in Psalm 103. He also gave us several verses acknowledging "memorial." But my favorite part of the sermon three ways our lives can be an active, living memorial to God. We can do these three things each day:
<1> Give Thanks. (Note - the difference between a prisoner and a monk is one has an attitude of 'griping' while the other has an attitude of 'gratitude.')
<2>  Walk in God's Way. Determine to follow Him and Honor Him.
<3>  Teach our children His ways. Teach peace, faith, love, belief and other virtues of God. But often these lessons are caught better than taught so the way we live should reflect God's way.

I set aside this song video in honor of Memorial Day.

The words are below the video.

All My Tears by Jars of Clay

When I go, don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole.
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store,
Come and drink, and thirst no more

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

So, weep not for me my friends,
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Verses for today.

Psalm 115:12-13 (NLT)

 ¹² The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
      He will bless the people of Israel
      and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
 ¹³ He will bless those who fear the Lord,
      both great and lowly.

I prayed today for the safety and well being of those in service and for comfort to the families who have lost a loved one in service to our Nation.
*(Some sites for Memorial Day history: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html; http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history; http://www.memorialdayorigin.info/)

Audio Book Review and Giveaway: A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee Burke

This is solid detective/crime entertainment.  

Morning For Flamingo by James Lee Burke

Read by Will Paton

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; abridged edition edition (December 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671736116
• ISBN-13: 978-0671736118

Genre: Detective Mystery
      My Rating: 4.25

Description:
A Cajun cop infiltrates the mob... but is he too close?

Clutching the shards of his shattered life, Cajun detective Dave Robicheaux has rejoined the New Iberia police force. While transporting two death-row prisoners, Dave is wounded and his partner killed -- reopening the doors to a past he would have rather kept closed.

Now he's trailing a killer into the heart of the Big Easy's underworld. Increasingly possessed by his undercover role, Robicheaux surprisingly forms an intimate bond with a Mafia don. Embroiled in a world of drug dealers, prostitutes and double-crosses, Robicheaux must still confront his most dangerous enemy -- himself.

Rich with fascinating characters and dramatic plot twists, the audio debut of James Lee Burke and his Cajun detective Dave Robicheaux recalls the best of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe -- tough, complex and thoroughly entertaining.

Review: I really enjoy this detective character and the slow draw of Will Patton’s narration


Dave Robicheaux has had some rough times in his life. He grew up in rural Louisiana with an alcoholic father, his mother having abandoned them. He ran into trouble as a New Orleans Police Officer, he struggles with demon memories from the Vietnam war and when his wife was murdered he spent a good amount of time sunk in a bottle. Now he works as a detective in the quieter town of Iberia. But somehow trouble still finds him.

Reluctantly Dave agrees to go undercover and return to New Orleans for a sting on the local Mob and drug dealers. Part of what he is seeking though is a chance to take out the vicious man who murdered his partner. The story is full of action with a troubled kid from the hood, a nasty murderer, a slick mafia don, an old sweetheart, and more. There are twists and double crosses that leave Dave treading water just to keep his head up (literally).  There are dark emotions with Dave continually fighting depression, and there is soft and sultry romance.

This is an earlier book (#4) in the Robicheaux series and I have listened to later stories.   Robicheaux is a tormented, broody and complex character. Although he doesn’t necessarily play (or work) by the rules, he is a good man seeking justice.  Even though the crime world created is dark and gritty, I do enjoy the word pictures that Burke creates. Maybe you can get a feel for the prose by the opening paragraph:

We parked the car in front of the parish jail and listened to the rain beat on the roof. The sky was black, the windows fogged with humidity and white veins of lightening pulsated in the bank of thunder clouds out on the Gulf.

Will Patton does a marvelous job narrating the story with his soft, dark, sultry southern accent. He is a master storyteller. There are some fowl words, common to this type of crime novel. If you like gritty crime mysteries and dark Louisiana ambiance this is a great listen and a great series.

xxx

Well - I thought this book was part of the Friday Pick Giveaway list #20 but I realize it is not. It was one I grabbed from my box at home so I get to give it as a giveaway here. :-)
Plus I am adding a giveaway for a used 1990 print copy of book  #3 from the series:  Black Cherry Blues: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE AUDIO BOOK OR THE PRINT BOOK:

***PLEASE BE SURE TO SPECIFY IF YOU ARE ENTERING FOR THE AUDIO, THE PRINT OR EITHER. THERE WILL BE A WINNER FOR EACH -TWO WINNERS.

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest that you find there. Please leave your e-mail!

2.   For an extra entry tell me if you have read this author and what you think about his books.  If you have already read either of either or both books tell me about it and if you win this giveaway you may pick from the review or ARC books and I'll award the cassette/book to another winner.

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

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

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

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on June 10, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 39 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

I'm not sure if most of you missed my comment (** below in blue) last week noting that Dollycas will be ending this meme next week at #40.  Only three comments were made indicating they would like to either continue this or a similar comment post.  I would probably end up doing them on Saturday since that is usually when I get to it. (A little late tonight.) So maybe give me a comment this week if you are OR are not interested in continuing with a similar comment meme.
Thanks again for your answers last week.  There were some interesting job "dreams." I was curious what  Rachel's 'music therapist' career involves.  Many of us attended college and a several are in college now - oh you young things! Most of us do not go to reunions although at least five answered "not yet" because they are young and two were too far away.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #38 is: #1 Meredith. Meredith, please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

 

WEEK 39 QUESTIONS

1. If you could meet a famous person who would you like to meet?

If this were a deceased person it would be easier - #1 Jesus; #2 Abraham Lincoln.
However I assume we are supposed to pick a living person so I had to think and think. I decided not to pick a political person. And I am not a huge Hollywood star fan. So I decided maybe an author but then I had to think and think which one and I had a hard time settling on just one. I like Dollycas' answer.  (This is one of the few times I saw her answer before I typed in my own answers.)  I enjoyed going to the Romantic Times Book Fair two years ago and meeting many authors, including a brief hello with Heather Graham. I would love to go to a book convention and I hope I can safe up for BEA next year.  However, looking at this crowd I may have second thoughts.

 2. Are you planning a summer vacation?

We have already been on a couple of trips earlier this year so we have not made any summer plans yet. Maybe we will vacation at home!

3. What is your favorite television show?

We mostly watch movies on TV not shows. We used to love "24".

Your turn to share: What famous person would you like to meet? Are you planning a summer vacation? What is your favorite television show? 
**Please NOTE while you are answering - Lori at Dollycas has advised that she is going to be ending this meme at #40. I have really enjoyed getting to know you better by your answers and I may continue the questions or I could go to a comment meme. Please let me know if you are interested in continuing the enquiring type questions or would prefer another type of comment meme.

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, June 3 at 10PM central. 

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway May 27, 2011

Who can believe this is the last Friday in May?!! Is everyone out of school yet?
Thank you to all who entered May 20. There are no Automatic winners this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). One person came close but unfortunately someone else asked for that book - sort of like a block in Tic-Tac-Toe.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from May 20 Pick:

LiederMadchen - gets ??? 
She forgot to list a book so she'll have to email me the choice and her address. :-)

RabidFox - gets Off Season

All winners please email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - either sweet and sensual or sexy +plus. 

What do you think? Will kids jump for joy in a library as much as 

jumping for joy that they are out of school for the summer??

New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Pairs:

Debbie Macomber 

Between Friends

Thursdays at Eight

Luanne Rice

Firefly Beach

Cloud Nine

Singles

Iced (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 3)by Carol Higgins Clark

A Price for Everything (Rosamunde Pilcher's Book Shelf) by Mary Sheepshank

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mystery) by Sue Grafton

Poirot Investigates - Volume 1 Agatha Christie - Audio Cassettes

Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy

Hope Everlastin' by Mickee Madden

The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

The Hope Chest: Yesterday's Magic\Today's Secrets\Tomorrow's Promise (Signature Select) Anthology

Susan, Kearney, Julie Kenner and Jacquie D'Alessandro

Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey

Resistance: A Novel by Anita Shreve

Vanity by Jane Feather

3/25/11  I did get to set up a new group of books:
Group #19

Pair - James Patterson

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

Kiss the Girls (2nd Alex Cross Novel)

Singles

And Then Came You: Sam's Story

Second Chance: A NovelSecond Chance: A Novel

Disguised Blessing

The Italian (Mira Historical Romance)

Rhapsody: A Love Story

A Sight for Sore Eyes 

The Waterfall

Primary Colors - audio tapes

A Little Magic

See No Evil (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #39) (black stripe on cover)

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!
Not all of these are two from a series but several are.  Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell:
Cruel and Unusual
At Risk (Win Garano)
John Grisham
Bleachers
The Last Juror
Jack Higgins
Touch the Devil (1983 Signet Edition)
Thunder Point (Sean Dillon)
Fern Michaels 
Final Justice: Sisterhood Series #5
The Jury: Sisterhood Series #4 (Revenge of the Sisterhood)

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.

So far I have posted 19 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I am continuing to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off until I get around to deleting the crossed off books.  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 179 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the correct number sent out.

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 and $6.00 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. :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 before the next Pick post. 
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  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

Scavenger by David Morrell
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4) by Janet Evanovich
Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6) by Christine Feehan
Saving Faith by David Baldacci

12/3/10  Book Set:
#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller
Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Must the Maiden Die (Seneca Falls Historical Myster) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom
The Summons by John Grisham - Audio CDs

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read.  Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!"  Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....
Group #12
The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson
First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)  by Terry Brooks
Seal Team One by Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla
Lethal Practice by Peter Clement
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margollin
Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods - CD Audio
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Sixth Sense
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
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
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
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
Tin Man by Dale Brown
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
In Her Defense by Stephen Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

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
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
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
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10
The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)
Double Blind by Ken Goodard
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)