Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick 12-04-09

Overflowing bookshelves!!

{photo courtesy of Bing.com}

This is week two of my FRIDAY PICK Giveaways. Continuing to share my book bounty!

As noted in Friday Pick One, every Friday I will post a group of books. A winner will be drawn the next Thursday and that person will be sent the book of their choice.

Most of these books have been gently read! Some are new that I have not read but am not likely to get to.
(Note - Occasionally there will be books that I won that were autographed - they will be noted by *A*; if the book was autographed personally to me it will be noted by *PA*.  No disrespect is intended to the authors by my passing these on - rather I wish to share the joy of reading these books!)

I determined from last week that you can increase the size of the picture by clicking on it.  But here is the list of titles and authors to make it easier!

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

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment WITH YOUR e-mail and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from this week's OR last week's choices (less whichever book was won from last week)!
BY THE WAY - Here is a helpful blog tip if you don't already know this- 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 was so glad when I found this tip!

Now tell me what you'd like and let's help these books find a new home!!
I am thinking of adding some audio books too! How about one week of all audio tapes or CDs (I have mostly tapes) -  would that be okay or do some of  you not listen to tapes/CDs. Comment on this if you'd like.

Winners of Friday Pick 11-27-09

Congratulations to:

CYNTHIA chose Unlaced by Kristina Cook!

Interestingly enough Kristina and I were both members of the same college Sorority! Different years and schools but it created a connection!

There was a good reason that I decided to pick two winners!  I must be tired cause I can't remember the reason other than my being in such a GIVING mood!*BG*

So the second winner is:

Sheere chose Married at Midnight an Anthology

I have e-mailed both winners to please send me snail mail!

Giveaway + Review of Avenging Allaire by Margie Church

Title: Avenging Alaire
Author: Margie Church
Publisher: Class Act Books
Genre: Erotic Suspense
Buy Link
ISBN 978-1-935048-37-4   1-935048-37-6
Word Count: 84,255
Contemporary Romance - Explicate sexual content

Rating: 4.5 of 5
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb:
The exciting love story of Allaire West and Devon Mercer continues in the thriller, “Avenging Allaire.” The couple plans to marry and live happily ever after, but everyone from Devon’s father to their pistol-packing nanny, Lucy, is conspiring against them.

Lucy plots, with the help of her lover, to take advantage of Allaire’s psychotic relapses. Her goal is to turn Allie into a lunatic and steal Devon for herself.

Devon’s father calls in his million dollar ransom loan and Devon is forced to return to his father’s firm to repay it. It doesn’t take long for Devon to become suspicious about the revolving door of investors, brokers, and missing information.

In a heart-stopping turn of events, Allaire's life is again in jeopardy. Devon learns the truth behind Allaire’s kidnapping, the suspicious murders, and the business secrets.

Who will survive and who will pay as Devon desperately tries to avenge Allaire. Packed with murder, white collar crime, and plenty of spice, “Avenging Allaire” lives up to the author’s penchant for SASS - Suspense, Angst, Seductive Sizzle.

Review:  This sequel to Awakening Allaire is another sexy, tension filled suspense!

The story picks up where the first book ended.  Unfortunately for Allaire and Devon, Allaire is still a target for threats that wreak havoc on her recovery from the trauma of her kidnapping.  Devon steadfastly stands by her and tries to reassure her that he loves her and will be there to help her.

Devon is particularly frustrated that he is drawn back into his father’s firm.  He is more frustrated that he cannot seem to protect Allie from the nasty calls and pranks made by enemies who clearly know enough detail to trigger Allie’s fears.

I really think that the blurb says more than it should although it soon is obvious that Lucy is obsessed with Devon and out to get Allaire.  I also read a version of the book that had a synopsis and it too gave more away then I would want to know before reading the book.

The author’s voice is clear and direct.  My favorite part is that the mystery and suspense are very well plotted and the resulting tension keeps the book moving at a fast pace.  The sexual scenes definitely sizzle and are written to be loving and sensual.  However, for me there could have been fewer sexual scenes as I was anxious to get on to solving the mystery and revealing the conspirators and murderers!!

I love this author’s tag line: “SASS” – Suspense, Angst, Seductive Sizzle - which fit these stories to a T!  It is understandable why this is a bestseller.  If you like good thrillers with lots of sexual sizzle, this and the first book would be great choices!

Author's Website

Author's Blog

Author Margie Church has graciously agreed to give a free eBook of this Bestselling Book as a giveaway!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit Margie's website or blog and tell me something you learned about her or sign her guest book and let me know that you did!  Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

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

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

4. You may make all entries in a single comment or separate comments. Since I haven't numbered the comments yet I have to put names/entries on a list for numbering anyway, so posting separately doesn't make a difference unless you post at different times so your numbers are not consecutive!

That is three total entries possible.

This contest is open to anyone who can download an eBook!

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 14, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Lots of Good Giveaways!

Enter THIS WEEK Heather Justesen's Week Filled With Giveaways!  Click on the link here or on the button in the upper right sidebar!

 Check out two book Giveaways at Single Titles!

Win your own copy of SPINNING FORWARD by Terri DuLong by leaving a comment or question.  A winner will be chosen randomly on December 10. 



 

Be eligible to win your own Ebook copy of Sue Swift’s PUNKHEADS by simply leaving a comment or question for Sue.  A winner will be chosen randomly on December 12. 

End of the Year Contest at From Rambling to Interviews

"New books (ones that are the first of series) will slowly grow until the end of the year, where one lucky winner gets a totally awesome package of books (yes, some I've read, but they still look brand new. promise.) and other goodies. So, check back often as the list will continue to grow. Ends 12/20."

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Parajunkee's View is having a 200+ Follower Giveaway ending December 30, 2009.

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Sweet Romance Author Rachel Rager is having a December Contest to win the movie While You Were Sleeping - one of my favorites too. Just talk about her book By Love or By Sea to five people. Check the contest link for the rules.  Ends December 20, 2009.

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Book Junkie is having a Fabulous 35 book Birthday Bash!! 

You even get to pick some of the books you win!  Ends January 1, 2010!

Link a Review and Get Entered for a Kindle!

Cym Lowell sponsers the Book Review Party on Wednesdays where bloggers link their reviews.  This month he is giving away a Kindle to one lucky reviewer.  Three weeks to enter this month - each linked review gains an entry!  Check out the link for the rules to enter!!