Winners ARCs: Demons Like it Hot and Started Early, Took My Dog

Giveaways Ended December 30. Thank you to everyone who entered.

ARC copy Demons Like it Hot

Catherine0807

ARC copy Started Early, Took My Dog

Helen

 

WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Book Review: Help! for Writers by Roy Peter Clark

This book is full of good, practical tips that can help writers of ALL types!

Help! For Writers: 210 Solutions to the Problems Every Writer Faces [Hardcover]

by Roy Peter Clark

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (September 21, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316126713
• ISBN-13: 978-0316126717

   Genre: Nonfiction; Improvement
   My Rating:  5.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2011

The craft of writing offers countless potential problems: The story is too long; the story's too short; revising presents a huge hurdle; writer's block is rearing its ugly head.

In HELP! FOR WRITERS, Roy Peter Clark presents an "owner's manual" for writers, outlining the seven steps of the writing process, and addressing the 21 most urgent problems that writers face. In his trademark engaging and entertaining style, Clark offers ten short solutions to each problem. Out of ideas? Read posters, billboards, and graffiti. Can't bear to edit yourself? Watch the deleted scenes feature of a DVD, and ask yourself why those scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. HELP! FOR WRITERS offers 210 strategies to guide writers to success.

Review:
This easily laid out text covers tips for writing from “Getting Started” to  “Finding Focus” to “Building a Draft”, and all the way to the final chapter, “Keeping the Faith.”   Each of seven chapters is broken into three subsections that key in on specific topics to help a writer move along in the right direction.  This starts with the basics like finding ideas in everyday situations, researching, and organizing ideas and research. Next the author directs focus to beginning, looking for the right language, then building a draft.  Once you are into the piece you need to assess your progress and determine how to meet your deadlines. Clark address 'sagging' middles and getting the ending right. Finally you get to learn to accept criticism, improve by revising and editing. The author gives tips to get around writer’s block and gives encouragement to ‘keep the faith.’

The style of this book is engaging and easy to follow. I had marked a good half dozen tips before I was halfway through the book. I particularly liked the section on looking for language, finding fitting words and pacing by the use of sentence structure. Also I liked the suggestions on defining the ending and then working towards that with the beginning and middle. Sort of backing into the story from the desired result. I know that not everyone writes that way as many authors are "pansters" and say how the characters lead them in the story. But working to a goal makes sense to me.

I picked this to read as I was sure I could get some tips from it. I don’t write fiction although I do write legal briefs or memoranda now and then and there were tips applicable for that. Also I write reviews and I found tips and ideas that help for review writing too. I recommend this book to anyone who writes no matter the genre or whether you write for fun or professionally.  Sorry I’m not giving this one away since it’s one I can keep on the shelf and use now and again.

I received this book from Little Brown & Company for an impartial review.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 30. 2011

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway, scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

*Sigh* Christmas is behind us and the New Year is on the way. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a great year in 2012.
Thank you to all who entered December 23 Pick.  There was ONE Automatic winner (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).

There were three books blocked by multiple requests.

I think it will be time next week for another new group to be added. :-)  I'll update the lists too by removing those already picked.

CAROL M asked for Hour Game for 4 weeks with no blocks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from December 23 Pick:

Becky chose Sweet Vengeance

lag123 chose Cry Wolf

and
Marybelle gets a Gift Card

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. 

I plan on working on my TBR pile.
How about you?
This Photo by: Orin Zebest
Found at Playing by the Book

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 289 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)

Winners of Mid-Winter's Eve Hop

Congratulations to TWO Winners 

of the Mid-Winter's Eve Hop

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Mid-Winter's Eve Hop Giveaway link

  

 

Aimee B and Krysta B.

WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form and let me know what GC you want or pick a book(s) ($12.00) value at The Book Depository.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Winners of Embrace the Highland Warrior

I realized today that I had not picked winners for Embrace the Highland Warrior.

Congratulations to the Winners

2 Copies of Embrace the Highland Warrior

Anne F and Mary Jo

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