Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick November 11, 2011

[** If you are new to Friday Pick, scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] Update #1 - Several of you notice your comment missing from last week. That was due to the switch of the template and going from IntenseDebate to regular blogger comments. Don't fret that I've missed any comment entry as I save blog comments to a folder.

I hope everyone has had a nice week. This week wasn't quite so stressy but still strange. And I am oooh so tired tonight. 

Thank you to all who entered November 4 Pick.  There was only one Automatic winner this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). Meanwhile there were at least half of the list blocked by duplicate requests.

Winnie has been asking for All Together Dead for 4 weeks.

Update#2:

Linda K has asked for Vanish for 5 weeks including this post. I realized that an earlier block was an international commenter. Since I wouldn't normally mail to international, I am awarding the Auto win to Linda.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from November 4 Pick:

Jane chose Haunting of Josie

Jane has chosen this for four weeks but was blocked all four weeks by another commenter - one of them had to win eventually!)

and
Marybelle gets a GC

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. 

 Today I spotlight a very special book:

From the Blog of Sparrow's Ribcage

Vietnam Veterans Memorial ~ books are used to locate names on the Wall

But I could only stand there and say a tiny prayer. One small prayer for 58,261 as I ran my hands over those laminated pages in the middle of that quiet city park on a cold December morning.

there was a soldier
tapdancing softly in the rain
above the coffin
six feet above, the people praying
-Ron Kovic

xxx

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 254 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.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

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- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] 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 

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)

Forever Romance Turning Up the Heat Giveaway - Two Books, Three Winners!

TURNING UP THE HEAT 

Blog Tour 

with

CARA ELLIOTT (TOO WICKED TO WED)

 

  

Outspoken Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys a chance encounter with London's most notorious rake, the Earl of Killingworth, and is drawn into a passionate romance that has serious consequences. When a reckless wager forces the Earl, the owner of a gambling den and brothel, to take on a new business partner, the lovers begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception. If they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.

 

TOO WICKED TO WED

 By Cara Elliott

ISBN: 9780446584579

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE

and

  

LILLI FEISTY (DELICIOUSLY SINFUL)

Things are heating up in the kitchen...and the bedroom. Restaurant owner Phoebe Mayle thought she had it all under control.  Sure, her new chef has a bad-boy reputation --and a chiseled body to match-- but she's positive she can whip him into shape. But will their hunger for each other be a recipe for love that lasts?

DELICIOUSLY SINFUL

 By Lilli Feisty

ISBN: 9780446574105

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE

Thank you to Forever Romance for these two books to read and for providing THREE sets of BOTH BOOKS for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for BOTH BOOKS: 

1. Visit BOTH Cara's website and Lilli's website and tell me something you found interesting and each site. NOTE - I could not get Lilli's site to open last night. So if it won't open then check this Amazon Bio.
You must visit both please.   This is required for entry and worth TWO entries.

2.  Comment on my reviews of Too Wicked to Wed and/or Deliciously Sinful for extra entries - one per review, so two possible.

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

4. For two more 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.
(Seven total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS!

* 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 November 26, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on November 27 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Book Review: Deliciously Sinful by Lilli Feisty

 I have mixed feelings about this book - as I suspected I might.

Deliciously Sinful

by Lilli Feisty

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (November 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446571555
• ISBN-13: 978-0446571555

     Genre: Contemporary Romance
     My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 22, 2011
Things are cooking in the kitchen...and the bedroom.

Restaurant owner Phoebe Mayle thought she had it all under control. Sure, her new chef has a bad-boy reputation - and a chiseled body to match - but she's positive she can whip him into shape.

But from the moment Nick Avalon roars into town in his Hummer, he makes her whole world sizzle. Now Phoebe has lost control of her kitchen, and Nick has taken over her mind and her body. His insatiable appetite for pleasure leaves her breathless with carnal cravings only he can satisfy. Yet can their hunger for each other be a recipe for a love that lasts.

Review: This is a good story... just a little too much raw language and edgy sex for my tastes.

Phoebe is definitely a control freak. Everyone around her can see that though it is hard for her to recognize it herself.  She has had to be in charge since her teen years and she feels she has had to be responsible to take care of what’s left of her family.  She was happy developing her own organic farm and selling the food to her Aunt and Uncle for their organic restaurant. Now, due to their tragic deaths, she is in charge of the restaurant. She can grow but she just can’t seem to cook.

So she hires a top notch chef from LA. Nick Avalon is British and all bad boy. Nick is not one to take orders well which has gotten him in trouble in the past.  Why else would he have left the nightlife and women of LA for a bumpkin town diner?

From the first moment the relationship between Phoebe and Nick is pretty much a battlefield of all hot sparks.  They have that fine line between hate and love sort of heat.  Their thoughts, and sexual encounters, are primarily carnal. They do have a few nice moments of friendship and coziness especially on an oyster gathering adventure. Of course that too turns into a sexual feast.

The controlling Phoebe finds herself wanting to trust and rely on Nick as more than just a fabulous chef.  Nick finds that he really likes Phoebe and he enjoys creating dishes from her garden produce. But can he change a life time of attitudes to choose something more than being an arrogant narcissist passing through to his next gig?

Nick is a little brash but still I liked his character for what it is meant to be. I could relate to Phoebe’s wish to control things, and people, around her life.  Her niece, Jessie, is just 18 and growing into one smart, sassy assistant chef. I did like the story and for the most part enjoyed the read.  I didn’t like the liberal use of the “f” word and other blunt terms for body parts. Rather than warm sensual scenes this relationship starts in with spanking (with a whisk) and later includes light bondage (with turkey string I think it was.)  All of that was nicely done  - its just not the sort of thing I prefer in my reading.  If you don’t mind those things or can read around it, the story itself is feisty tension with a HEA.

I received this book to review and giveaway from Forever Romance, Hachette Book Group.
This is part of a two book giveaway which follows this review.

Book Review: Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott

This is a great pick for those of you who, like me, love a warm historical romance!

Too Wicked to Wed 

by Cara Elliott

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446584576
• ISBN-13: 978-0446584579

     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Series: Lords of Midnight | Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Outspoken and independent, Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys the heady freedom of making all her own decisions, even though the challenges of overseeing her family's country estate are daunting. But when a chance encounter with London's most notorious rake awakens a secret longing for adventure, she accepts her aunt's invitation for a Season in Town . . . only to find that breaking the rules of the ton has serious consequences.

The Earl of Killingworth uses his rakehell reputation to hide the fact that poverty has forced him to work for a living. As the owner of a gambling den and brothel, Connor has no time for glittering ballrooms or innocent young ladies. But after a reckless wager leaves him with a new business partner, he is forced to take a risky gamble . . . Will the cards fall in their favor? Alexa and Connor begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception as they seek to outwit a cunning adversary who wants to put them permanently out of business. But if they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.

Review: I really enjoyed this lively, fast paced read.

Lady Alexa is independent and efficient.  She has had to restore and manage the family estate which her brother was away at war.  She is headstrong, assertive and willing to push the boundaries of propriety.  She meets the handsome rakehell, Connor, by barging into his brothel, The Wolf’s Lair, in search of her brother.  The Earl of Killingworth, also known as the Irish Wolfhound, admires Alexa’s bravado  and steals a kiss.  He is excited by her innocence and what he perceives as her vital individuality that makes her stand out from the “bland beauties.”

Connor has suffered financial loses at the hands of a devious stranger. During the same evening someone breaks into his office safe. There are other acts of sabotage at the business but he doesn’t know who is trying to ruin him.

Alexa poses as a young man of the ton and wins a marker for half of the Earl’s business.  He discovers that she is unwilling to sell out. Attackers try to kill Connor and learn of his connection with Lady Alexa. Now they must both go into hiding to stay alive while their friends help hunt down the enemy.

Alexa believes she is not elegant enough to attract Connor but she is drawn to him like a moth to the flame. Connor thinks he is too much of a rakehell for her. But their proximity reveals their mutual vulnerabilities. Alexa begins to realize that Connor hides his past and his feelings behind a roguish mask.  Is he willing to remain “alone and aloof” or will he give in to her passionate and provocative allure? 
The romance is full of fun innuendo and some steamy moments... nothing unpleasant.

Here are three phrases that are quite fitting to show the underlying vulnerability and charm of Connor, who is a yummy hero:
“You are not alone in sometimes feeling unsure of which way to turn.”
Love inspired doubt and hope, not to speak of confusion.
Like dice tumbling across a table, Connor’s insides began to bounce and roll against his ribs.

The writing flowed quickly for me.  There were some items of the plot that might be considered contrived... but still I liked it.  Connor is part of a trio of friends who are known as the Hellhounds. Cameron and Gryff are likeable mates and will make good heros to find love in their own novels. I look forward to their stories!

I received this book to review and giveaway from Forever Romance, Hachette Book Group.
This is part of a two book giveaway which follows the next review.