Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway March 4, 2011

Happy March everyone! I got to greet March in bed with a cold. Yuck...I may not be up at 10pm to pick winners and I have court hearings in another county at 8:30 tomorrow. So I won't be back to the office to post winners until noon time.  March makes me think of spring and tress so we have some interesting tree bookshelves. :-)

modern bookshelves inspired by nature at urbanlifestyledecor.com

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

Robert Parker:
Rough Weather (Spenser Mysteries)
Sudden Mischief (Spenser)

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)
Judith McNaught
Something Wonderful (note this is an older 1988 Pocket Romance edition; torn binding and mark across front) - but wonderful romance
Almost Heaven (also an older 1990 edition with one mark across front)
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Match Me If You Can
This Heart of Mine
Sandra Brown
Words of Silk
Fat Tuesday (torn cover at binding)
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 18 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 145 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
Wicked Prey by John Sandford
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
In Silence by Erica Spindler
Night Sins: A Novel by Tami Hoag
Dead as a Doornail: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel by Charlaine Harris
Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4) by Janet Evanovich
No Ordinary Man by Suzanne Simmons
1022 Evergreen Place (Cedar Cove) by Debbie Macomber
Time to Run (Navy SEALs, Book 3) by Marliss Melton
Malice Domestic: An Anthology of Original Traditional Mystery Stories
Taboo by Susan Johnson
Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6) by Christine Feehan
Saving Faith by David Baldacci
Michal: A Novel by Jill Eileen Smith

12/3/10  Book Set:
#16

Adam by Ted Dekker
Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
The Proposition by Judith Ivory
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
Comanche Woman by Joan Johnston (part of a great series!)
Barefoot: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
Through the Grinder (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 2) by Cleo Coyle
Forever, Ashley  by Lori Copeland
She Loves Me Not by Wendy Corsi Staub
Cornered Tigress  by Jade Lee
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

A Little Magic by Nora Roberts

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

A Heart Speaks by LaVyrle Spencer

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

Almost Forever (Sarah) by Linda Howard

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

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

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 Used books!

Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods
Death Cruise (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Don Davis
The Angel by Carla Neggers
Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson

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
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
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
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
Rainmaker by John Grisham - Audio Tapes

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Almost Single by Advaita Kala

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
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
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)
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)
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
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
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
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

This book contains wonderful descriptions, characters and an interesting plot.

My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402255772
• ISBN-13: 978-1402255779

     Genre: Historical Fiction
     My Rating: 3.5 but please note my comments in the review.

Product Description

Casablanca Classics presents this runaway bestseller, a swashbuckling historical romance by a beloved author

A passion for adventure...

Beautiful, naïve, and impulsive, Page Bradley inadvertently rescues English spy Lord Hazard in Baltimore during the tumultuous War of 1812. Now she must put herself at the mercy of her country's enemy.

An aptitude for deception...

Lord Hazard is no stranger to the atrocities of war, but he never imagined the beauty that could come of it until he meets the fiery and irresistible Page. Now he finds himself questioning every loyalty he's ever felt for King and Country.

Amidst the turmoil of war and the peril of the high seas, these two sworn enemies are destined to discover that denying love may be worse than treason.

Review: As I prepare this review I must acknowledge that the elements to this story are wonderful.

In the summer of 1813, during the War of 1812, 18 year old irrepressible Page sneaks out from her family home on the Chesapeake for a stolen day in town. As she is returning to meet the Captain of the sloop she stowed on, she rescues an Englishman from an angry mob. Lord Hazard and his gentleman’s gentleman, join MacDougall and Page to head back to Bradley House where the gentlemen will pick up their horses and be on their way.
 
But fate has other plans. The sloop is cornered by British ships. Lord Hazard is able to take responsibility for Page, although he may not be able to stop the British Captain from impressing MacDougall into service. Lord Hazard assures Page that, even though she is surrounded by enemies, he will get her home safely.  Later they are overtaken by a Union ship. This is just the start of Page’s misadventures which are to include several more boat transfers, storms at sea, and  travels from Bermuda to France to London.

Lord Hazard is always quietly, but surely, in control and asserting his interest over Page although he doesn’t express his feelings for her until late in the story. Can Page set aside her loyalty to her family and country to accept that she loves an enemy spy?  The characters are developed with a nice subtlety that allows you to see depths from their reactions and words. It is interesting to think how the lines of country loyalties are challenged by personal friendships and relationships.

I believe the normal quote is “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts".  But that didn’t work for me with this book. Although I enjoyed the descriptions, the characters and the plot line, the story seemed very slow to me.  It seemed driven by descriptions rather than action and I really didn't feel pulled into the story until the last 50 pages. Where I might rate the individual parts as 4.0s, the overall effect was less to me.

I want to share just one scene as the descriptions of scenery and ship life and  swashbuckling are wonderful. The author places you in the setting and it seemed the author had first hand experience with all things related to ship travel.

The Caprice, like all Baltimore schooners, was a wet ship, her deck awash with green fingers of water that swirled about Page’s feet; but she ran before the storm like a gull, heeling gracefully to the gusty squalls that marched across the sea in the wake of white flaring lightning and rolling thunder, surging through the water with all the joyful abandon of a porpoise.  From the crew, batting to take in more sail, came a tattered shred of laughter blown on the wind, and Daniel Mason’s face as he walked toward Page was exhilarated rather than apprehensive.  p 127.

The romance is lovely and sweet. I do recommend it. Just be prepared for a lot of descriptive detail even though the story travels with storms and sea battles.

xxx

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

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1. Tell me if you have had this experience with a book where you liked the elements but it was a slow or difficult read which you didn't expect it to be.
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 is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on March 18, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries