Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway November 19, 2010

Happy Friday folks! I have some new books but forgot to take the camera so next week I'll post another new list and maybe update the lists by deleted those that have been selected (if I have time).

PLUS NEXT FRIDAY WILL BE THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF FRIDAY PICKS!

I HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL PLANNED AND HERE IS A HINT - PERSEVERE AND BE CONSISTENT. :o)

more hanging books by TimTom

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 home that will make me happy. :o)

Okay - I've been promising a new set of "used" books for giveaway and finally I got the picture!

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

A Little Magic by Nora Roberts

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

A Hot And Sultry Night For Crime Anthology; Jeffrey Deaver plus

A Heart Speaks by LaVyrle Spencer

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

Almost Forever (Sarah) by Linda Howard

Seizure by Robin Cook

A Secret Affair by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An Arranged Marriage (Zebra Historical Romance) by Jo Beverley

If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

The Scoundrel by Claire Delacroix (this has some discoloration on the top of the book although it doesn't appear damaged)

Cold River by Carla Neggers

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 118 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.

Note new rules at the top of this post regarding international winners.

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
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
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
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
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
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 November 12, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO THE WINNERS

of Friday Pick November 12, 2010

Cheryl C chose Surrender a Dream

and
Misha gets a $5.00 GC.

Ladies, please email me: Cheryl with snail mail (and choice of bookmarks if desired); Misha with choice of GC.
Thank you to everyone who entered and don't miss the special note in this week's Friday pick!

Winners of Audio Book Katie Up and Down The Hall by Glenn Plaskin

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of

Audio Book

Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family

by Glenn Plaskin

I am so sorry that more people didn't enter for this sweet book but glad that the winners are getting and audio book they want. I already have addresses for Robyn and Ruthie so I will submit them to Hachette.

Join the Book Blog Chat for The Forever Queen on November 22

Sourcebooks has arranged the following review blog schedule and a Blog Chat to talk about The Forever Queen.  Check out the reviews and join us for the Chat at http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/ from 7pm to 9pm EST on November 22.

The Forever Queen Schedule

1-Nov

http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/

http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/

2-Nov

http://www.passagestothepast.com/

http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/

3-Nov

http://www.luxuryreading.com/

4-Nov

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/

http://historicallyobsessed.blogspot.com/

5-Nov

http://booksbythewillowtree.blogspot.com/

http://www.historyandwomen.com/

weekend

8-Nov

http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/

http://www.bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com/

9-Nov

http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/

http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/

10-Nov

http://literatehousewife.com/

http://carpelibrisreviews.com/

11-Nov

http://web.me.com/quirion/Bookaddict/Welcome.html

http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com/

12-Nov

http://www.brokenteepee.blogspot.com/

http://www.read-all-over.net

weekend

15-Nov

http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/

http://celticladysramblings.blogspot.com/

16-Nov

http://www.jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/

http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/

17-Nov

http://bookalicio.us/

http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/

18-Nov

http://pushersink.blogspot.com/

http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/

19-Nov

http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/

http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/

weekend

22-Nov

Book Club Chat on http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

This is a very rich portrayal of a Medieval Queen of Saxon England.
The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402240686
• ISBN-13: 978-1402240683

Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5

Product Description from Sourcebooks
What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?

Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom—and her crown—are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.

Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery.

Review: This is an engaging historical fiction.  I know I groused about the size of the book but when I got into it I really did enjoy it.

The story is a fictionalized account of Queen Emma and opens in 1002 with 13 year old Emma coming to England to marry King Æthelred (age 34).  Needless to say Emma is frightened and not really prepared to be a Queen. However, from the very beginning it is clear that she has the courage and fortitude to handle what life is going to present to her.

Emma has to deal with a weak and useless King Æthelred for fourteen years, during which she raises two sons and a daughter. When Æthelred dies the Danish Vikings are on the verge of conquering England.  Edmund, King Æthelred's oldest son by his first wife is proclaimed King. Emma is facing many decisions but her attitude and personality is reflected by her proclamation:  “This is what it was to be alive, to be at the edge facing survival eye to eye, knowing, knowing, you would win through.”

It is not long before Edmund dies of battle wounds.  Emma sends her children into exile and begins the next stage of her life as she steps forward to risk much by proposing to become the wife of the Danish leader, Cnut, in order to preclude more fighting and death -- as well as to retain her position as Queen.

The author does a wonderful job of portraying Emma through 40 years as a woman, a mother, a strategist and most importantly as a Queen who has adopted England as her country with a great fervor and love.  There are glimpses of fear, loneliness, friendships, jealousy, grief; views of a cold hearted wife and mother, and views of a warm and loving wife and mother. Underlying all is her regal bearing and determination to remain Queen, first as a wife and later as a mother. 

The warring countries, internal politics and jostling for position give a great view of the history. The author creates some detailed characters. There is Emma’s good friend, the honorable Godwine, a merchant’s son who rises to the position of Earl. There is also Æthelred’s first “concubine” wife who is very vicious, bitter and vengeful.

The author also smoothly blends in details of the weather, countryside, and lifestyle of the times. She describes the various settings: scenes from the royal court, including dilapidated royal dwellings,  and also views of farmsteads and more common living conditions.  I enjoyed how the author presented everyday facts like the description of the water driven mill wheel even though it leads into tragedy.

As I read along I did wonder how true to facts the story was and where the author had obtained the research.  At the conclusion the author’s note answered these questions.  Anyone who loves historical fiction or medieval fiction should really love this. And don’t be like me...don’t let the size get to you - it is worth the read! I look forward to reading more by this author.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

This giveaway is limited to US entries because of the weight of the book. 
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

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

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

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

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

* This contest is open to US only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on December 3, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.