Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick October 14, 2011

I have been so busy this week and I completely forgot about the Flash Giveaway I was going to post. Hopefully I'll get it posted soon!  It looks like I had failed to cross out a few books that had been won while I was away on vacation.  I have updated the lists now, deleting all those that have been won. Also I posted a new set of books.

Thank you to all who entered October 7 Pick. There were FOUR (Woo Hoo!) 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 M chose The Cheshire Cat.
Linda K chose Jake's Return.
Mona chose False Prophet.
Carol L chose Hope Chest.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from October 7 Pick:

Margaret chose On Bear Mountain Cassette Audio

and
Faith Hope & Cherrytea chose Undercover Pursuit

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.

This is another pretty fall picture.

Image found at 
http://mariaenelescritorio.blogspot.com/ 

with some pretty music too.

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October - Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Desperation by Stephen King
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen
Witch by Barbara Michaels (spine wear)
Midnight by Dean Koontz (spine wear)
Walking After Midnight by Karen Robards (spine wear)
Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper
The Haunting of Josie by Kay Hooper
Dark Secret (the Carpathians Book 12) by Christine Feehan
Hokus Pokus (the Sisterhood: Rules of the Game Book 2) by Fern Michaels
Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic
Death Angel by Linda Howard
A Marked Man by Stella Cameron
Bone Cold by Erica Spindler (spine wear)
Exposed (Maggie O'Dell) by Alex Kava
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

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:
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
Legacy of the Dead (Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries) by Charles Todd
A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook
Lost Light (Harry Bosch Series #9) by Michael Connelly

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.

Coffin Underground (Inspector John Coffin) by Gwendoline Butler

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)

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

Until We Meet Again by Christine McGuire (spine creased)

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

* The Glassblower by Laurie Alice Eakes

* Easy On the Heart by Jodi Thomas

* Rogue Stallion (Montana Mavericks) by Diana Palmer

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

A Price for Everything (Rosamunde Pilcher's Book Shelf) by Mary Sheepshank

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

The Hope Chest: Yesterday's Magic\Today's Secrets\Tomorrow's Promise (Signature Select) Anthology

Susan, Kearney, Julie Kenner and Jacquie D'Alessandro

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Second Chance: A NovelSecond Chance: A Novel

Disguised Blessing

Rhapsody: A Love Story

The Waterfall

Primary Colors - audio tapes

A Little Magic

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 Pair:

Cruel and Unusual

At Risk (Win Garano)

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 23 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I have updated the lists - deleting those won. 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 242 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
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney  -- Won 9/9 Not yet Claimed.

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

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

List #14

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

Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom

Here is set #13 of Used books!

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

The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin

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

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee

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

The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*

On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith - Audio Cassette

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

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)

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes

Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology

Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)

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

Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)

Audiobook Review: Immortal by Gillian Shields

This is entertaining in a YA appropriate fashion.

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 7 hours and 23 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Harper Audio
• Audible.com Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Language: English

Genre: YA
My Rating: 3.75

Publisher's Summary:
Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance.

Review:  This YA tale is full of mystery, evil witches, ghostly presence and a haunting romance.

Evie feels like an outcast at the exclusive and oppressive Wyldcliffe school.  She longs for friendship and thinks that Helen, the other “scholarship/sponsored” girl, will be her friend but instead Helen gives her a brief tour and then seems indifferent to her.

Evie begins to experience strange flashes of a girl named Agnes - a girl from the past. Unknown to Evie at first, her necklace plays an important part in the history of the school and all the mysteries.  Meanwhile Evie is sneaking out to meet a mysterious young fellow, Sebastian.  Sebastian and Evie grow closer and closer but Sebastian is hiding secrets.  The romance is light and appropriate for the age of the story’s primary audience.

There are secretive meetings going on with the teachers and some students have died although their odd deaths have been declared as accidents.  Finally Helen reveals the extent of danger to Evie and another friend, Sarah.  The girls agree to become a coven to fight the evil witches.

The story wasn’t overwhelming but the mysteries and the flashes to Agnes kept it interesting enough. I enjoyed the different POV presentation from Evie and Agnes’ diary. I also liked the gothic feel and the slowly revealed mysteries. The narrator has a light, crisp British accent that tends toward breathy, delicate and ethereal. It seems to fit the young girls for the story.

I might get the sequels if they were on sale...but I won’t be rushing to get them with all the other books available.  I appreciated receiving this book through the Sync YA listening program at Audiobook community. This story was paired with Wuthering Heights and although there were some similarities in the Gothic setting and the ill fated romance I don’t think Immortal met the depth of the tragic characters found in Wuthering Heights.

Book Review and Copy Giveaway: Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie

I liked this and will want the next book since this ends with mysteries still to be revealed! (Including the Q in the product blurb.)

Kiss of Night

by Debbie Viguié

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; 1 Original edition (October 7, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446570869
• ISBN-13: 978-0446570862

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description:
Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague.

For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can’t control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God? is answered.

Review: I was very anxious to review this book and I wasn't disappointed...at least not till the end. Now I have to wait till 2012 for the next book in the series.

Susan is just a young woman who is in Prague for the funeral of her beloved grandmother who raised her.  She seeks solace and sanctuary in church before the funeral and thinks she hears whispers and gets a glimpse of a dark figure.

That night Susan gets dragged out by her cousin, Wendy, to go dancing. It seems Wendy has met a guy but Susan finds him creepy. Suddenly Wendy takes off and another dark man warns Susan that Wendy is in trouble. Susan discovers just how creepy and dark these guys are as she becomes the focal player in a battle of good vampires versus bad vampires. She is frightened by Raphael but also strangely drawn to him.

Raphael knows that Susan is to help him in the battle against the truly evil vampires. Not that all vampires weren’t evil and monsters when they were created. But some vampires have learned to seek redemption after years of seeing the consequences of their misdeeds.  Raphael is on the side of good although he hasn’t quite gotten to the point of seeking salvation. His monk/vampire friend, Paul, holds out great hope.

Another stranger, David, hears the commotion in the next hotel room and tries to rescue Wendy from what appears to be an attacking vampire.  David seems to have a natural resistance to Vampire mesmerism and is quickly caught up to be trained as a warrior for the impending fight.

I liked the protagonists and the good vampires who are interesting characters. Wendy and David are likeable and make a nice cozy couple too.  David becomes an unlikely but brave and valiant warrior.  I felt there were some flaws and unrealistic circumstances in the tale, including some simplistic writing. Still I liked the overall story which kept my attention with its intensity and mystery.  It is very fast paced and full of action. I read it in two days and was really unhappy only because it ended — at a crucial stage of events! Ack!

Thank you to Faith Words for providing this book for review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the book 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.)

* Open to the US & Canada only.

* No PO boxes, please.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 28, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 29. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Copy Giveaway: Where Tomorrow Waits by Jane Peart

This is an enjoyable tale of a young woman's adventures on the Oregon Trail.

Where Tomorrow Waits (Westward Dreams, Book 3)

by Jane Peart

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (July 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310412919
• ISBN-13: 978-0310412915

Genre:  Historical
My Rating: 4.0

Product Description:
Penny Sayres' red hair, freckle-splashed skin, and fierce independence drew the attention of some of the region's most eligible bachelors. One by one, they've been disappointed -- because romance and marriage are the last things on Penny's mind! Since her childhood, she has sensed an unknown destiny beckoning from the horizon. When Penny's brother, Brad, invites her to join his family on their wagon train to California, Penny's dream of adventure comes true. The Oregon trail, with its promise of a distant land, sweeps her into a world of fascinating new sights and sounds. It's an exciting time for Penny and her newfound friend, Nell, who shares Penny's zest for the unknown. The trail is long, the journey often grueling, and, as happens when strangers travel together, tempers sometimes flare. Still, it looks like the train will reach its destination without event -- that is, until disaster strikes at Snake River and changes Penny's life forever. Little does Penny realize that God is about to set her on her greatest adventure yet -- one that includes a new dream and lasting love.

Review: This isn’t so much a romance as it is a tale of a brave, if reluctant, pioneer woman.

Penny wants something more out of life than marriage. Besides, none of the men she has met in her small town in Missouri hold any interest for her. In fact, one of them, Jeremiah, is aggressive and pushy and she seeks to avoid him whenever she can.

When an enthusiastic missionary comes to town, Penny’s brother, Brad, is all excited about going to the Western Territories.  Brad’s wife, Thea, who is Penny’s best friend, is a timid woman but she adores her husband and will do everything to support him.  Brad and Thea want Penny to come along to help out with their two year old daughter, Belinda.  Also, Thea shares with Penny that she is pregnant but she doesn’t want to tell Brad as he would delay their trip.  Although Penny is reluctant to leave her beloved Grams, she is excited about the adventure ahead.

The author gives wonderful insight into the preparation and weeding out of belongings as they are limited in space and weight.  The trail can be hard, lonely and frightening. Penny and Thea make friends with an older woman, Nelldean, and her grandson, Nate.  To Penny’s dismay, her pushy suitor, Jeremiah, joins the group with his new wife who he keeps isolated.

The wagon train faces hardships, danger and tragedy. Before they reach California, disaster and heartache strike Penny’s family and she has to face the future with the help of her new friends, Nelldean and Nate. Penny had already shown her strength and merit on the trail and now she will show great fortitude and independence as she finds a means of support and begins a new life.  And although she wasn’t dreaming of a man and a family, it looks like God may have other plans for her.

I enjoyed the strong faith foundation that sustained Grams, Penny and Nelldean in slightly different, but all strong, ways.  The pioneer history was wonderfully described in all of its harshness, beauty, fear, excitement, danger and comraderie. The images made my book club friends and me stop and think what it would have been like to be part of a wagon train. This is a light, quick read that is enjoyable for its easy flow and historical details.

###

This is an alternate cover.

Learn more about this author and her many books by visiting the Goodread's page for this author or the Fantastic Fiction page.

I happened to find this book on sale at Amazon last spring and thought it would be a nice, light read for the ladies in my church book club. I'm glad I picked it up as the prices now are high.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my copy:

1.   Tell me why you would like to read this book. 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.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 21, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 22.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.