Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway August 25, 2011

Ohhh - What a busy week I have had! Whew. I took Wednesday off for a girls day with my sister, daughter and two granddaughters. :-)  It was fun but really rare for me to take a day like that - I didn't even take my computer!  I have a cruise vacation coming up September 9th - I will be taking the computer. :-)

Thank you to all who entered August 19 Pick. There were two 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).
Carol W gets In Her Defense Audio Tapes
Jennifer gets the Thunder Point and Touch the Devil by Jack Higgins.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from August 19 Pick:

Aik gets a Gift Card

and
Mystica chose
Wolf to the Slaughter: An Inspector Wexford Novel (Mortalis)

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or 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. 

Well it was back to school for most everyone 

this past week.

Will it effect your reading?

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Dead Jitterbug by Victoria Houston

Coffin Underground (Inspector John Coffin) by Gwendoline Butler

* Wolf to the Slaughter: An Inspector Wexford Novel (Mortalis) 

by Ruth Rendell

* Point No Point by Mary Logue

The Cheshire Cat's Eye by Marcia Muller

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell 

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

* Resort to Murder: A Henrie O Mystery by Carolyn Hart

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

Until We Meet Again by Christine McGuire (spine creased)

Bloody Good by Georgia Evans (spine creased)

* Undercover Pursuit (Love Inspired Suspense) by Susan May Warren

* The Glassblower by Laurie Alice Eakes

* Having Faith by Barbara Delinsky

* Easy On the Heart by Jodi Thomas

* Rogue Stallion (Montana Mavericks) by Diana Palmer

May, 2011 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 21 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 217 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 fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me 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 - Audio Cassette
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)

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Vampire Next Door by Ashyln Chase

This is another quick, fun read in this series.

The Vampire Next Door 
by Ashlyn Chase

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402236638
• ISBN-13: 978-1402236631

 Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

 Product Description

In this third installment of Chase's lively, sexy, paranormal trilogy, we meet witch Morgaine, who is deathly afraid of the dark, and her vigilante vampire neighbor Sly, who has his reasons for hating sunlight. Sly needs Morgaine's magic to help heal a broken fang, but with further help, and sometimes hindrance, from the wacky apartment dwellers around them, they may become each other's last hope for a normal life...

Review: This is a good book/author if you are in the mood for light fun and sexy romance.

Morgaine is a very capable, experienced good but quirky witch. She tends to be house bound as she is afraid of the dark and she is agoraphobic - afraid to go out. Morgaine is a nurturer, very kind and sweet to the others in the apartment building, even her very annoying Southern cousin, Gwyneth.

Sly is a kind vampire who has been pretty much a recluse since he was turned 26 years earlier. At the time of the attack his beloved wife, Alice, was ready to delivery their child. Although he was able to get to the hospital in time to save the baby, Alice had lost too much blood. Sly lives in a closet space he made in the basement of the building so he can be near his daughter, Merry (Strange Neighbors). Sly isn’t happy about his vampire nature.  He manages to feed on criminals feeling that he is helping society in that fashion while he takes care of his basic needs.

Merry has Sly move into the apartment that she and Roz consider the “matchmaker” apartment since they found their mates there. (The Werewolf Upstairs.)  They think that maybe Sly and Morgaine have some chemistry and sure enough the old friends soon begin to see each other in a new light.

Gwyneth, who is also a witch, came to the city to help Morgaine by doing errands and being there as a friend. Unfortunately Gwyneth tends to chase every man she meets and it doesn’t matter if they are more interested in someone else, like her cousin. It isn’t easy to like Gwyneth’s rather slutty personality but it makes for some fun in the story. Chad, the resident ghost also adds his sneaky and snide presence to the jumbled character mix. I liked Jason and Lily who are two other “strange” (as in not fully human) residents and was rather surprised at how the author dealt with them.

Sly has to face danger when his old maker discovers where he lives and comes after him.  Morgaine has to face her fears when she agrees to travel to NY to help get a possible vampire cure for Sly.  There is action and lots of humor as well as steamy sex.   I moved quickly through the sex scenes and enjoyed the rest of the fun read. As noted with The Werewolf Upstairs, this author is fun but I give a caution for the sexual content which tends to steamy although not vulgar.

 ~~~~~

I received this book from Sourcebooks for review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

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

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

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 9, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 10 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway:Midnight Waltz by Jennifer Blake

The title of this book is very fitting.
Midnight Waltz 
by Jennifer Blake

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402238495
• ISBN-13: 978-1402238499

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Product Description
She has no idea what to expect...
In the aristocratic world of the magnificent plantations of nineteenth-century Louisiana, young Amalie knows how to behave as the new mistress at Belle Grove, but her arranged marriage to Julien Declouet is full of surprises.
He's as different as night and day...
Amalie finds her husband perfectly polite, although oddly aloof, by day, but a completely different man when he visits her in her chambers at night, full of white-hot emotions and passion that sweeps her away. As the steamy Louisiana summer swelters onward, and the mystery of her husband's dual personalities intensifies, the once-innocent Amalie finds herself embroiled in one turbulent scandal after another...

Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. I like the writing but don’t care for the basis of the story.

Amalie has been in mourning for six years. Finally she becomes a bride in an arranged marriage to Julien, a handsome and wealthy Louisiana plantation owner. Amalie has been trained to be a proper wife and she is welcomed as a good Mistress for Belle Grove and as a show piece for Julien. Amalie gets along well with her mother-in-law, Sophia, and has a kindly friendship with her flamboyant and indolent husband. Julien has come to her only a few nights in three months and in her innocense Amalie doesn’t understand why he has not consummated their marriage.  Amalie knows that Sophia, whose health is fragile, would love to have a grandchild to secure the inheritance.

Finally one night her husband, although it is too dark to see him, slips into her room and seduces her. Amalie is thrilled to have the passion of the nights even if she is confused by her husband’s aloof attitude during the days.

Amalie has a friendly relationship with most of the slaves and a particularly soft spot for a young lame boy. Isa, who is a remarkably natural artist.  The plantation overseer, a leering bully, makes inappropriate comments to Amalie but Julien will not fire him. Julien leaves the management of the property to his cousin, Robert.  The industrious Robert and Julien are like twins in appearance and they are as close as brothers since Sophia raised Robert.  Robert  lives on a near-by plantation but spends a lot of time visiting to help manage Belle Grove and to supervise the rough overseer.

Slowly secrets are revealed creating misery in the household. There is bitter friction between Julien and Robert and an unbearable tension between Amalie and Robert. It is unclear how relationships will ever be resolved nor how the family will overcome the scandalous rumors.

I liked the characters although neither of the men, Julien nor Robert, seem to be fully portrayed.  Making them mysterious seems to also make them a little flat. I enjoyed the rich descriptions of the flood of the plantation and the terror of the hurricane the characters experience on Isle Derniere.

I have read other historical and contemporary books written by Jennifer Blake and I like her writing. She has a particularly wonderful ability to present the lush steam and charm of Louisiana. However, the moral issues in this story made it less pleasant for me.  Had I realized the nature of the relationships I probably would not have selected this book. Many positive reviews indicate that what bothered me didn’t bother other readers.

 ~~~~~

I received this book from Sourcebooks for review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

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

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

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 2, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 3 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.