Winners of Bossypants and Scrumptious!

Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways.
CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS!

Giveaways Ended January 20

Giveaway Print Copy of Bossypants

bn100

Giveaway ARC Copy of Scrumptious

Patricia's Particularity

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

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Giveaway Pick January 20, 2012

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

Another week has flown by.  Even with Monday off I feel like it was a rushed week.
Thank you to all who entered January 13 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). We have a lot of 3x requests so hopefully there will be several automatics next week.


Carol L asked for Rhapsody: A Love Story for 4 weeks with no blocks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from January 13 Pick:

lilahshea chose Thinner

Linda H chose Baby and All

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. 

Here's a new bookshelf to start the year:
Has been read and Will be read!
Found at Style of Design

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Endless Chain by Emilie Richards

Baby and All (3 Novels in 1) by Candace Camp, Victoria Pade and Myrna Mackenzie

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Thinner by Stephen King

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Dangerous Lady by Amanda Scott

November of the Heart by Lavyrle Spencer

Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown  

*Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

*A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart 

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.)

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

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery

The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell

Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon

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)

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

Death Angel by Linda Howard

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)

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

Disguised Blessing

Rhapsody: A Love Story

Primary Colors - audio tapes

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  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 298 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

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

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

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)

Congratulations to the Winners of MBS Dreaming Hop!

I have to say I am so glad I used Rafflecopter for this giveaway Hop.  I didn't have to print out the spreadsheet and number the entries, including extras. So simple to go to Rafflecopter and click: pick winner!!

• 2 Winners get a Book or two from your own "DREAM LIST" Up to $15.00 Value

And the winners are...

results powered by Random.org

Entry #1172 Adeeb F.

Entry #501 Lisa J.

The winners have been emailed (Rafflecopter makes that easy too). 
Happy book picking Adeeb and Lisa!

Book Review: Smitten Anthology

Delightful reading! "Smitten" is a perfect way to describe how you feel when you read these heartwarming stories of love, friendship and faith.

Smitten Anthology 

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401684947
• ISBN-13: 978-1401684945

     Genre: Contemporary Romance

     My Rating: 4.25+ of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 20, 2011
Welcome to Smitten, Vermont.
With the help of four friends, it's about to become the most romantic town in America.

The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they've got just the plan to save Smitten. They'll capitalize on its name and turn it into a tourist destination for lovers-complete with sweet shops, a high-end spa, romantic music on the square, and cabins outfitted with fireplaces and hot tubs.

But is this manly town ready for an influx of romantically-minded guests?

Country music sensation Sawyer Smitten, the town's hometown hero, wants to help by holding his own wedding there on Valentine's Day. And little Mia's lavender wreaths hang all over town as a reminder that faith can work miracles. Along the way, four women spearheading the town's transformation-energetic Natalie, sophisticated Julia, graceful Shelby, and athletic Reese-get in the spirit by reviving their own love lives.

Join best-selling inspirational romance authors (and real-life BFFs) Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for an inspiring stay at the (soon-to-be) most romantic town on the eastern seaboard.

One visit . . . and you'll be smitten too.

Review:

This really is adorable! The four friends are like close sisters and they have the grit and determination to initiate changes to save their town. The mill is closing so the four decide to turn the town into a romantic getaway. After all, the name Smitten fits the desired new image. Of course the men in town resist what they think will turn their town into a frilly girl place that is going to fade around them.

The four stories have different voices but fit together beautifully. They each have varying faith issues of forgiveness, trust, independence and pride that they have to overcome. The Biblical references are well placed and appropriate in the lives of the Christian characters. They are shared in the natural circumstances so they aren’t really preachy but are rather a reminder of God’s safe control and desire for the best in our lives.

There is a fun forward and a Reading Group Guide as well as "Conversation over Coffee with the Authors" describing how the authors got together to work up the anthology. There is a brief blog post here:  http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

I would recommend reading any of these authors for warm characters and engaging plots. I look forward to reading more by each of them. I rate each story as 4.25 and the whole package gets extra bonus for working so well together!

Natalie: Birthday Wishes by Colleen Coble
Natalie’s father left when she was young and she doesn't trust men or relationships. Carson is a dependable businessman in town but Natalie’s sister, Lisa, has named him as the father of her daughter, Mia.  Natalie is raising the adorable Mia who is making lavender wreaths for the doors. The wreaths are to give the townspeople hope during the difficult times.

When Carson’s country star brother agrees to be married in Smitten, Natalie is able to talk Carson into updating the old fishing cabins he owns. He can’t see it until she begins to describe the changes and becomes his assistant to remodel. As they work closely together they are drawn to notice each other as more than just friends.  Natalie has to find forgiveness and learn to trust if she wants to allow love to remodel her own life. 


Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams by Kristin Billerbeck
Julia has returned from New York to take care of her injured mother. Her friends encourage her to set up a spa like the one she ran in the city. A big city fellow comes to town to give her advice and to consider investing in her plans. He recommends that she rent space that is owned by rugged Zak who has the local rustic grill. It is a beautiful setting but Julia has always had a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Zak. She claims that she can’t envision a spa next to the smells of a rustic grill even though Zak is remodeling his restaurant. 

Zak has always liked Julia but promised her brother that he would look after Julia and never try to seduce her. But he’ll chase away that city slicker and remodel the space for her spa because he knows she can make it work even if she doesn’t think so.  Can Julia find enough faith to risk telling Zak how she really feels or will she run back to New York?


Shelby: You’ve Got a Friend by Diann Hunt
Shelby tends to be a little accident prone but her friend Nick is always there coaching her on safety and rescuing her. Shelby isn’t really a socialite, she just appreciates fashion and teaches Social Graces to young girls so they will have nice manners and deportment. Nick is a strong lumberman and doesn’t see himself as someone Shelby could fall for. Besides, Nick has an ex-wife who left because she wanted the society things that Smitten and Nick couldn’t offer. But when Nick’s ex-wife dies and his preteen daughter comes to live with him its Shelby’s turn to rescue him by helping with this sweet lost young girl.  Meanwhile Shelby’s long absent father moves in and they begin to rebuild their relationship. 

When Shelby and Nick grow closer Shelby knows she has to tell him of her secret. She has had to learn to put aside the guilt and forgive herself but will she be able to forgive Nick when he judges her for her past?


Reese: All Along by Denise Hunter
Reese and Griffen were best buddies in high school. When Reese was preparing to marry Sawyer Smitten Griffen left town to hide his broken heart. He is back in town now to help with all of the renovations and to see if he can’t show Reese how he really feels. Too bad that Reese seems to be struggling with her old feelings for her ex-fiancé who is coming back to town to marry someone else. 

Reese is working hard on setting up her outfitters shop and she is really glad to have her good friend Griffen there for support. But suddenly she sees him as more than a good friend. She decides to take plans into her own hands, even if it means a little deception. But her plans to make Griffen jealous backfire when he thinks she is trying to make Sawyer jealous.

Reese realizes how God must feel loving us so much when we don’t always love him back. Can she get out of her own tangled web before Griffen leaves town again?

 I received this book for review from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.
This book will be linked to Vermont in my Where are you reading map; it will also go towards my ARC challenge.

Book Review and Giveaway: Miss Hildreth Wore Brown by Olivia deBelle Byrd

Treat yourself to these delightful 'bon bons' of Southern charm!

Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle 

by Olivia deBelle Byrd

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600377483
• ISBN-13: 978-1600377488

      Genre: Humor
      My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

 

Book Description Publication Date: May 1, 2010
While Olivia deBelle Byrd was repeating one of her many Southern stories for the umpteenth time, her long-suffering husband looked at her with glazed over eyes and said,“Why don’t you write this stuff down?” Thus was born Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle. If the genesis for a book is to shut your wife up, I guess that’s as good as any.  On top of that, Olivia’s mother had burdened her with one of those Southern middle names kids love to make fun.  To see “deBelle” printed on the front of a book seemed vindication for all the childhood teasing.  With storytelling written in the finest Southern tradition from the soap operas of Chandler Street in the quaint town of Gainesville, Georgia, to a country store on the Alabama state line, Oliviade Belle Byrd delves with wit and amusement into the world of the Deep South with all its unique idiosyncrasies and colloquialisms.  The characters who dance across the pages range from Great-Aunt LottieMae, who is as “old-fashioned and opinionated as the day is long,” to Mrs. Brewton, who calls everyone “dahling” whether they are darling or not, to Isabella with her penchant for mint juleps and drama.  Humorous anecdotes from a Christmas coffee, where one can converse with a lady who has Christmas trees with blinking lights dangling from her ears, to Sunday church,where a mink coat is mistaken for possum, will delight Southerners and baffle many a non-Southerner. There is the proverbial Southern beauty pageant, where even a six-month-old can win a tiara, to a funeral faux pas of the iron clad Southern rule—one never wears white after Labor Day and, dear gussy, most certainly not to a funeral.  Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle is guaranteed to provide an afternoon of laugh-out-loud reading and hilarious enjoyment.

Review:  Ha - This is such a delight.
The wonderful thing about this book is that it oozes Southern charm which is quite distinct from northern arrogance.  Now I don’t agree that all the antidotes would be limited to a Southern lady... I can relate to many. I was raised up north but moved to Florida when I was 13 so you would think I might be a southerner. Then again... we lived in Broward and Palm Beach counties until a few years ago. That is more like the north than the south.

The author shares humorous tales with a Southern flair - sometimes genteel and sometimes feisty. She reaffirms that women, who know colors like teal and camel and share details when they talk together, are from Venus while men, who see blues and browns and speak “yes” and “sure”,  are from Mars.  She tells tales from a different generation, one that had to earn a car at college age. Compare this to her children’s generation where a child is given a car because ‘they are breathing at age 16'.  The south has their “characters” who are tough “eccentrics” by another name but sweeter I think. Ms. Byrd shares stories of several Southern "Characters."

There are delightful stories from childhood antics, weddings, funerals, fashion, and adventures with pets. My favorites were hilarious Southern problems while visiting in foreign places like New York and Boston! I had to really laugh at one of her anecdotes disparaging Christmas Sweaters as I am one of those ladies who loves to wear Christmas sweaters for three weeks in December!

This is an easy, fun read and I chuckled through a couple of quick chapters at a time. This would be a great book to pick up for those bloggers participating in the Southern Literature or Reading Challenge. It is also a wonderful choice to keep on a side table for a relaxing evening and it would make a lovely gift for a friend.

This book will go in Florida for my Where Are You Reading challenge; it will also be on the New Author list and ARC list.

Thank you to the gracious generosity of the author for the book to review and an extra copy for Giveaway.
I thought about giving my copy too but decided I wanted to keep it and share it with a local friend. :-)
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the print book:

1. Visit the author's site and tell me something of interest you found there and/OR  for two entries, leave a comment on the Guest Post to show warm hospitality to Ms. Byrd. :-).  One of these 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.
(Six total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 27, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 28. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.