Winners Stirling, 2 Scots, Match in Heaven and Replacement

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners!

Scots/Highland Giveaway: TWO Books - THREE Winners.

The Brunette Librarian, mamabunny13 and wanda f

Giveaway 2 Copies of Match Made in Heaven by Shari MacDonald

There were three entrants and I happen to have three books so each of you get one. :-)

Linda K, mamabunny13 and Krystal

Guest Post and Giveaway by Lisa Renee Jones

Mary

 Replacement Winner

 Giveaway Turning Up the Heat from Forever Romance - Two books and Three Winners.

 

Michele

ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out and let Publishers know to mail books to winners.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

AudioBook Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

This is a quite remarkably unique twist for star crossed lovers.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

by Laini Taylor

Khristine Hvam (Reader)

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (September 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1611132975
• ISBN-13: 978-1611132977
• 10 discs approx 12 and half hours

      Genre: Fantasy
      My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Review: This is really an intriguing and different story.
Karou is a beautiful, blue-haired, art student living in Prague. She sketches unusual creatures that her friends and teachers consider monsters. In truth they are her chimera family from the underworld where she was raised as an orphan.  The yellow horned Brimstone is her secretive “father”.  He wears a wishbone necklace, works with teeth stored in bottles and deals in magical wishes - small ones, which he will give to Karou, and big ones that are for special trades.  Brimstone always has to remind Karou that wishes are each important and come with a price. They shouldn’t be wasted or used frivolously. She doesn’t understand the meaning of the teeth and the price of magic until well into the story.

On one of Karou’s mysterious errands she comes face to face with a gloriously fierce angel who attacks her. They battle and somehow she wards him off with the hamsa, eye tattoos, on her hands. When he sees them he is stunned, physically and mentally.

A tentative friendship and attraction grows between Karou and the tormented, seraph soldier, Akiva. A flashback unfolds the mystery of their past connection and of the ages long battle between the seraphim angels and the monster chimera. The quote at the beginning of the book gives a hint: "Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not go well."

Along the way the star crossed lovers yearn for “a different sort of life” than the ongoing war between their races. They recognize that love is an element that needs to be allowed to flourish. And hope is not only “almost magic” but more than magic... it has power. Unfortunately the small temple they borrowed for themselves was “not really their world but only a hiding place.”  They were tragically driven apart and when we return to present day Karou and Akiva there is a terrible, heartbreaking secret revealed.

The story shares mythical views and tone.  I really liked the book from beginning until the very end (I’ll address that in a moment) although it starts a little slowly. There is confusion because the characters and story are so unique and at first it is unclear how they connect. The story introduces Karou in the human world; moves her to a dark demon workshop; then whisks her off to Marrakesh and adds angels to the mix. In time it is all skillfully woven together and even the title makes perfect sense. The varied setting descriptions are beautifully lush and the characters are richly individualized and creative.

I can’t say I really like the ending which dramatically drops into a “to be continued” leaving a lot of matters unresolved. Although that is alarming it actually fits with the mystery of the characters and plot. All of us will have to wait to find out what happens next!

Audio notes:
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does a fabulous performance! The Czech accents and various characters are rich and the narration adds visual strength to the word images. The reading gives a sense of the scenes by imbuing warmth, humor, angst, awe, etc into the reading. The emotional timber is spot on to hit sarcasm, fear, anger, anguish, love, despair, hope, and all the magical emotions in between. This is a new narrator to me but I will be looking for other books that she reads.

There is also an interview with the author at the end that was fun. It is always interesting to get a bit of back story from the author.

I highly recommend this entertaining listen for older teens and adults. I would caution that this is rather complex for younger teens and there is some minor sexual content.
  

I appreciate receiving this audiobook for review from Mitch at Hachette Audio.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick December 2, 2011

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway, scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 
Okay folks! Welcome to December and count down to the end of the year.
I have posted the picture to go with the latest group of books.

Thank you to all who entered November 25 Pick.  There were Three 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).

Carol M has asked for Legacy of the Dead for 4 weeks with no blocks.
Carol W has asked for Spyder's Web for 4 weeks - no blocks.
LuAnn has asked for The Undertaker's Widow for 4 weeks - no blocks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from November 25 Pick:

Kulsuma gets a GC

Mystica gets a GC

and
Louisa chose Exposed

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 still low on just sweet. 

Do you have  a tree up yet for Christmas?

I have enough books to do this. :-)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

Skin Tight by Susan Andersen  (Cover has one thin black marker stripe)
Hour Game by David Baldacci
After Dark by Beverly Barton(spine wear)
The Shattered Rose by Jo Beverley
Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey
Praying for Sleep by Jeffery Deaver
Lucifer Rising by Barbara Fifield
Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag (spine wear)
Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery
Sweet Vengeance by Kat Martin
Lost Highways by Curtiss Ann Matlock
The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell
Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon
Cause for Alarm by Erica Spindler
Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods


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
Witch by Barbara Michaels (spine wear)

Walking After Midnight by Karen Robards (spine wear)
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)

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:
Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook

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

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)

* Rogue Stallion (Montana Mavericks) by Diana Palmer

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

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

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. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I have posted 24 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I have periodically update 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 279 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

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 too. :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 with 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

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

Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt

The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

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

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

Pick #6

The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

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

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)

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester

This is a warm, sweet romance with plenty of Highland action to keep it moving well.

The Highlander's Heart

by Amanda Forester

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402253044
• ISBN-13: 978-1402253041

 Genre: Historical Romance
 My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2011

Fleeing into the wilderness to escape an abusive marriage, Lady Isabelle Tynsdale would sooner face down a wild boar than spend another night with her wretched husband. Battered by the elements, desperate to elude a band of attackers, and defending herself against, as fate would have it, a wild boar she is rescued by the handsome Laird David Campbell.

Campbell knows holding Isabelle captive for ransom is his best chance to temper the storm threatening to destroy his clan. The ransom of an English countess should be more than enough to pay off his debts to England and save him from an unwanted marriage. But Isabelle didn't escape her husband just to become another man's captive and Laird Campbell is seriously misguided if he thinks she's going to go quietly.

Review:  This is a very good active story with an "at odds" romance.
Lady Isabelle Tynsdale, at the age of 16, was given in an arranged marriage as the fourth wife of a powerful older Englishman. After a disastrous wedding night she moved home to live with her uncle. Five years later her uncle has died and she is traveling to seek an annulment of the marriage before her estranged husband tries to claim the estate she inherits.

While on the road Lady Isabelle’s party is attacked by Lord Tynsdale’s men intending to bring her home. She escapes into the woods but loses her horse and her way. She is being accosted by dirty bandits when she is rescued by a handsome highlander.  Isabelle is afraid to tell her rescuer her situation as she is sure he will send her back to her brutal husband.

Laird David Campbell is an enemy of the English King but he can’t strand this lovely young woman. He agrees to take her to the next town as he sure isn’t going to coddle her or return her to England.  When she tries to go off on her own again she runs into a boar! 

Although he has rescued her several times and they have grown close, when he learns that she is married his frustration makes him hold her for ransom.  Meanwhile he is torn between two clans who want him to marry and cement alliances with them. As if he doesn’t have enough troubles one of his seven sisters has been kidnaped on the way to meet her betrothed.

There is a lot of fun humor in Isabelle's mishaps and in the torture that David struggles with trying not to fall for the troublesome imp. David is drawn to Isabelle but has enough honor not to use her or abuse the friendship that has developed. There is a lovely message of faith as Isabelle is reluctant to believe that God would help her. A num explains that God is faithful to answer prayers but he doesn’t always do it how we expect. Also we have to be willing to look for His hand in the circumstances of our lives.

I really appreciated the good humor and the integrity of these characters.  The romance is a great example of magnets that repel until there is a flip and then they can't help but draw together. There is plenty of action and a good easy flow to the writing. This is an author I will definitely want to read more of.

 Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and 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.

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