Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway September 23, 2011

We are now at sea traveling from Greenland to Halifax, Nova Scotia - into the last week of this relaxing cruise. Pleas take a peek at the picture below the winners' link. I bought a few bookmarks and calendars at that bookstore. :-)
Thank you to all who entered September 16 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 Wong who chose Must the Maiden Die
Abby who chose Veils of Silk - if the mailing is doable.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from September 16 Pick:

Mary P gets a Gift Card

and
Winnie chose In The Prince's Bed

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 - sensual or sexy +plus - I am currently low on just sweet. 

Here is a bookstore called READS in Dublin.

Is this not perfect for me?:-)

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Double Set by Lori Copeland:
June (Brides of the West #2) (HeartQuest)
The Courtship of Cade Kolby (Avon Romantic Treasure)
Singles:
Rides A Hero by Heather Graham
One Night by Debbie Macomber
Tender Triumph? (I have to check) by Judith McNaught
Quentins by Maeve Binchy
Firestorm (Eve Duncan) by Iris Johansen
In the Prince's Bed (Royal Brotherhood) by Sabrina Jeffries
Everywhere That Mary Went by Lisa Scottoline
Legacy of the Dead (Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries) by Charles Todd
A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook
Cimarron Rose (Billy Bob Holland) by James Lee Burke
Lost Light (Harry Bosch Series #9) by Michael Connelly
A Maiden's Grave by Jeffrey Deaver
Blackwater Sound: A Novel (Thorn Mysteries) by James W. Hall


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 22 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 230 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)

Guest Post by Isable Cooper, Author of No Proper Lady

Isabel Cooper Guest Blog, Author of No Proper Lady
Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf; September 22, 2011

Let me get started by saying that it’s great to be on Martha’s Bookshelf, and that I really appreciate the chance to talk a little about No Proper Lady and my writing process in general.

Science fiction and fantasy has been a huge influence on my work, both No Proper Lady and, well, just about all the other fiction I’ve ever written. I started out with fairy tales and Disney movies, moved on to Lord of the Rings and similar epic fantasy pretty quickly, and had gained a pretty good familiarity with the horror end of the spectrum, largely via Lovecraft and King, by the time I was a teenager. My own tendencies are more along the fantasy end of the spectrum, as I like woogy spiritual stuff, but I can definitely appreciate some good space opera as well.  At the moment, as well as the works I mentioned above, my favorite fantasy authors include Robin McKinley, Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Carey, S.M. Sterling, E.E. Knight, Mercedes Lackey, Jim Hines, and a slew of others. Being extremely nerdy, I’m also more than passingly familiar with roleplaying games and video games, and with the fantasy worlds portrayed there.

When I think about writing No Proper Lady, I can point to quite a few fantasy and science fiction works that definitely had an influence. There’s Terminator, of course—thus the tag line of the novel—but the beings Joan and Simon end up fighting owe a whole lot to Lovecraft and King. Sterling and Knight (and King as well, via the Dark Tower and The Stand) contributed to my fascination with post-apocalyptic Crapsack Worlds (tm TV Tropes, and you should only Google *that* site if you have a lot of time on your hands) and to the way Joan’s ragtag band of doomed future heroes constructed their society and traditions. Lackey’s Elemental Masters series is a great one for Victorian occult weirdness, and everyone else…well, I can’t point to anything specific, but my mind, magpie-like, picks up anything shiny and keeps it around for later. Add to that a general interest in the Victorian Age and the high weirdness that was going on there—or that people thought was going on there—and a general love for the badass warrior woman archetype, and I was pretty well off to the races.

I like to say that I write the way that a friend of mine mixes cocktails: you take a little from here, a little from there, the end of the bottle of peppermint vodka, and add a bunch of Hershey’s Syrup. Hopefully it’ll end up tasting good. At least you’ll have fun in the process. I immensely enjoyed writing No Proper Lady, and I owe all the authors I mentioned a lot for giving me the inspiration to, er, put everything in a blender and hit “frappe”. I hope you’ll have as much fun with the final result.

NO PROPER LADY BY ISABEL COOPER – IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2011

It’s Terminator meets My Fair Lady in this fascinating debut of black magic and brilliant ball gowns, martial arts, and mysticism.

England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her target she’ll need help learning how to fit into polite Victorian society to get close to her target.

Simon Grenville has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell. The man used to be his best friend—until his practice of the dark arts almost killed Simon’s sister. The beautiful half-naked stranger Simon meets in the woods may be the perfect instrument for his revenge. It will just take a little time to teach her the necessary etiquette and assemble a proper wardrobe. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants Joan anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn’t in it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debut author Isabel Cooper lives in Boston and maintains her guise as a mild-mannered project manager working in legal publishing. She only travels through time the normal way and has never fought a demon, but she can waltz. Her next book, No Honest Woman, will be in stores in April 2011. For more information, please visit http://isabelcooper.wordpress.com.