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

Wouldn't you like another trip to the beach - with a book of course?
NOTE: New rules for international participants. I learned over the past weeks 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. 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 hone that will make me happy. :o)

This week was crazy busy so still no picture of the next list. We'll get there soon!

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Blue Screen (Sunny Randall) by Robert Parker

Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler

Proof of Intent: A Charley Sloan Courtroom Thriller by William Coughlin, Walter Sorrels

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

The Hangman's Knot: A Novel (Billy Tree Mysteries) by David Wiltse

The Darkness by Jason Pinter

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Atlantis by David Gibbins
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 "new" Used books!

Immortal Sins by Amanda Ashley
Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods
Death Cruise (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Don Davis
Bed of Roses (Topaz Historical Romance, Je 519) by Suzanne Simmons
The Angel by Carla Neggers
Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Bone Garden: A Novel  by Tess Gerritsen
Atonement by Ian McEwan
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson
The Night We Met: The Panty Raid\Frame By Frame\Three Wishes (Harlequin Signature Select) Anthology
Pamela Morsi, Karen Kendall and Colleen Collins

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 Oneby Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders

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
Death Takes Passage (Alaska Mysteries) by Sue Henry
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King


Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods - CD Audio
Taking the Fifth by J.A.Jance
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Swan Road by Rebecca Brandewyne
The Protector by Madeline Hunter
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly
Rainmaker by John Grisham - Audio Tapes
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Oops - better make sure my daughter has read this one!)

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 90 books have found new homes! YAY.  I pulled a couple of hardbacks and larger books as the postage cost was prohibitive. 

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
A Jockey's Life by Dick Francis
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Net Force - One is the Loneliest Number by Tom Clancy
Almost Single by Advaita Kala

Pick#2
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey

Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross
The Lighthouse by Mary Schramski

Pick #3
Delivered by Christmas Anthology - Linda Howard, Joan Hohl andSandra Steffen
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
Red Fire by Dierdre Knight
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
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).
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
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
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Surrender a Dream by Jill Barnett
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
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
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
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)
Deception Point by Dan Brown
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey (spine frayed a bit at bottom)
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
The Vision by Heather Graham (sc))
Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (sc)
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
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

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

Winners of Friday Pick July 23, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS 

to the Winners of Martha's Bookshelf Giveaway *** Friday Pick July 23, 2010

Chelsea chose Bed of Roses

and 

Victoria chose The Darkness

Please email me at mesreads ATgmail.com with your snail mail addresses and with your choice of bookmarks:  sweet and sensual only or with erotic bookmarks too.

Giveaway - Three Copies The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

"This book reeled me in from the first pages and kept me moving forward to unravel the mystery."
Three books available to win! THANKS TO HACHETTE AND VALERIE for the opportunity to give away this extremely engaging book.

The Castaways: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand
 

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. For your main entry check out the Author's Website and tell me something you found interesting there.OR

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. For TWO extra entries comment on the review post.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Five total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Five winners!

* 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 August 20, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Review - The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

This book sped by and was a very engaging read.

The Castaways: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316043907
• ISBN-13: 978-0316043908

Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Review:  This book reeled me in from the first pages and kept me moving forward to unravel the mystery.
You learn about the characters and their intricate and intimate relationships through a rotation of chapters from the current perspective and reminiscences of each of the six surviving friends.

Greg and Tess appeared to be a perfect couple but there was some rocky times. Greg is a school teacher but is known for playing with a local band and being the sexy “rockstar” type who could get any girl he wants. Tess is a small bundle of sunshine and loved by everyone. She was the girl who said “no” and eventually caught Greg. When they die on their twelfth wedding anniversary they tragically leave behind young twins.

The Chief, Ed, is the steady, sturdy police chief. He is married to Allison who was Tess’s older cousin and best friend. She watched out for Tess as a child and helped her in all things.  The Chief approaches the deaths as a mystery while Allison reacts with guilt and despair at Tess’s death. Although their own children are almost out of the house, Allison insists that they should raise the twins.

Allison was the first girlfriend of Jeffrey, who is married to Delilah. Jeffrey is the reliable, hardworking farmer; stalwart and dependent. Delilah is more the party girl who chose the secure spouse but wonders if there might be more fun with someone more lively, like sexy Greg. She wants the twins who are close to her own children and she is jealous of Allison.  Delilah finds it difficult to deal with her grief without exposing her secret fantasy.

Addison is the busy, wealthy businessman with Phoebe, the trophy wife. Phoebe was a perfect socialite wife and hostess, happily expecting their baby when tragedy struck. Phoebe’s twin brother died in the 9/11 attacks and Phoebe collapsed, losing the baby. She fell into a deep depression and Addison eventually secretly fell in love with someone else in the group. They react to the death of Greg and Tess in opposite ways.

I really liked how the character remembrances and interrelationships reveal the personal and group history. I can't say any more about the involved relationships without risking spoilers. The characters were wonderfully developed and the story was intriguing. I am generally not a big fan of drama but I found this to be a remarkably interesting read and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Hatchette and Valerie who made this book available for review and giveaway.