Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 3, 2012

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

Another busy week for me. This year has started out at high pitch at my office - such a blessing!

Thank you to all who entered January 27 Pick.  There were NO 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).  There hopefully will be several automatic wins next week if they don't get blocked. Witch was a popular choice last week.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from January 27Pick:

Llehn gets a GC

Carol W chose Endless Chain

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. 

Valentine's is coming up quickly!
I found this image and a list of books for Valentine's 
 at BeNonsensical

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! (Nov 2011)

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 304 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)

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

This book is suspenseful, strange and engaging!

The Rook 
by Daniel O'Malley

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (January 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316098795
• ISBN-13: 978-0316098793

Genre:  Fantasy, Thriller
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: January 11, 2012
"The body you are wearing used to be mine." So begins the letter Myfanwy Thomas is holding when she awakes in a London park surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves. With no recollection of who she is, Myfanwy must follow the instructions her former self left behind to discover her identity and track down the agents who want to destroy her.

She soon learns that she is a Rook, a high-ranking member of a secret organization called the Chequy that battles the many supernatural forces at work in Britain. She also discovers that she possesses a rare, potentially deadly supernatural ability of her own.

In her quest to uncover which member of the Chequy betrayed her and why, Myfanwy encounters a person with four bodies, an aristocratic woman who can enter her dreams, a secret training facility where children are transformed into deadly fighters, and a conspiracy more vast than she ever could have imagined.

Filled with characters both fascinating and fantastical, THE ROOK is a richly inventive, suspenseful, and often wry thriller that marks an ambitious debut from a promising young writer.

Review:

This is a good thriller with very unique and strange characters.

Myfanwy Thomas wakes up and doesn’t know who she is until she finds a letter in her pocket. The letter starts “The body you are wearing used to be mine.” Thus begins a learning process for Myfanwy to learn about her former life and job. This is no easy task since “Thomas”, as she dubs her former self, is a Rook and the administrator for a very secretive government agency that hides supernatural creatures and events from the public and battles supernatural forces. Each team operative has their own supernatural ability to aid the organization.

Myfanwy quickly becomes immersed in on the job training with some help from a handy notebook prepared for her by Thomas. The notebook defines the organization, identifies the other operatives by name, title, responsibility, super power and personality quirks. Myfanwy doesn’t even know her own unique gifts until she accidentally uses them and begins to learn to expand and control them.

While Thomas was super organized she was also obsessively plain, neutral and timid. She had learned not to touch as she apparently can injure or even kill another person with just a touch. Although Myfanwy can dress like Thomas she has a hard time being timid. She is ready to face any challenge, the biggest one being  to discover who wiped out her memory and why. This task is extra difficult since she has no idea who, if anyone, she can trust.

The team of operatives is soon faced with an ancient foe, The Grafters. Hundreds of years before they were creatures that were mostly blobs that were sent to take over a portion of England. They were defeated and thought to have been destroyed. Instead it appears that some survived and have become a dangerous group that grafts themselves into new forms and is infiltrating the Organization.

I really enjoyed the way the author sets up the discovery of information through Thomas’ letters and notebook. There were occasions when characters were introduced through a scene before they were disclosed by Thomas’ information. This caused a little confusion as I had to flip back a few chapters later to make sure who the character was.

I loved Myfanwy’s character with her bravery, determination and growing, or emerging, strengths. I also enjoyed discovering her quirky allies and laughed at many of the crazy enemies and scenarios that Myfanwy stumbles into. The mystery is full of suspects and twists that kept me eager to read as I wondered what would happen next. This is a fun and different read that is a good break from romance reading!

~~~~~

Thank you to Little Brown and Co. for this book to read and review.
This book is set in London, England for my Where Are You Reading challenge.  This will also go on my ARC and New Author challenge lists.


TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:

1. Visit the author site 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 February 10, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on February 11. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Forever's Paranormal Blog Tour and Giveaway> Two Books, Three Winners!

As part of the Forever's Paranormal Blog Tour I am please to share a Mini Q&A with Kendra Leigh Castle, author of Midnight Reckoning.

1.      Do I plot out the series?

I openly admit to being a pantser extraordinaire.  I never know what’s going to happen when I sit down to write!  Each book flows naturally from the previous one, and I like it that way.  It’s actually really difficult for me to plot.  I do have to write synopses, but they rarely bear much resemblance to the finished product.  Fortunately, my editor is awesome and doesn’t seem to mind!

2.      Do I do anything helpful for world-building?

I don’t really have much of a system.  I do like visuals, but I rarely tack up anything more than character models on my bulletin board.  If I need to “see” something, I’ll go hunting on Google.  I do keep a notebook for each story, but they’re sort of jumbled—sometimes I’ll write chapters longhand when I’m not getting anywhere on the keyboard.  One of these days I really need to sit down and put all my bits and pieces together into a story bible, because it really is a pain to have to look things up that I’ve forgotten.  Oh, I also write things on Post-it notes, which I would not recommend for anyone.  My husband sometimes gets overzealous with the cleaning!

3.      Best tips I’ve received on writing

I’m a fan of the Nora Roberts method: just get your butt in the chair.  There are really only a few tips that apply to everyone as far as the actual process goes.  We’re all different, and we all work our own way.  But truly, one of the most important things is just getting your butt in that chair, every day, and writing something.  You can’t wait until the spirit moves you if you want to make a career of this.  Deadlines are unmoved by anything, especially the spirit.  Along those lines, one of my favorite pieces of advice is from Steven King in his amazing book On Writing.  He basically says to keep pressing forward with every story, to get your word count in for the day, every day, because sometimes you’re actually doing good work even if you feel like all you’re doing is shoveling, um, manure from a sitting positionJ

 ~~~~~~

 Thank you to Kendra for sharing these answers on her writing:
 Please check out my review of Midnight Reckoning - a very enjoyable read!

Thank you to Jillian at Hachette Forever for these two books to read and for providing THREE sets of Midnight Reckoning and Firelight for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for BOTH BOOKS: 

1. Visit BOTH Kendra's website and Kristen's website and tell me something you found interesting and each site.
You must visit both please.   This is required for entry and worth TWO entries.

2.  For extra entry, comment on one or both of the reviews - worth one entry a piece.

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 THREE 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 February 10, 2012
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on February 11 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Book Review: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

This is wonderfully Gothic with dark elements that last to the very end!

Firelight (Darkest London)

by Kristen Callihan

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Import edition (February 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455508594
• ISBN-13: 978-1455508594

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Series: Darkest London | Publication Date: January 31, 2012

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Review:
Miranda’s strange ability brought destruction and ruin to her family. Her father taught her the ways of thievery on the streets to make up for the lose of his business.  She had resigned herself to being alone but then a dark nobleman chooses her as his bride.  She doesn’t understand but she is intrigued by the adventure and mystery of her new husband. Who is the man behind the mask that he wears?

Lord Archer is whispered about all around the ton. He had been away for years but returned to London a few years before. Then he first met Miranda on a dark night in an alley. He protected the young girl from some ruffians but she acted as though she didn’t need his protection. He has been searching for a cure to his curse but decides he must have Miranda as his own even though he shouldn’t drag her into his dark world. But he cannot resist the light and passion she brings to his lonely life. He doesn’t know why, but she seems to be willing to look beyond the mask to try to find the man.

As they dance around their secrets men connected with Archer are being murdered in a gruesome way. The clues point to him although it becomes clear that there is an enemy trying to frame him and the enemy is also seeking to hurt Miranda.

As there comraderie grows Miranda wants to know Archer’s true secrets. They both struggle to control their secrets when they really long to let them free. Will Miranda be willing to reveal her own to get Archer to reveal his?  Once their secrets are revealed can Miranda find a way to stop the curse before Archer meets his nemesis?

This reads very quickly and you are pulled into the characters dark world of loneliness seeking to be loved for who they really are.  The relationship is warm and sensual leading up to a loving and fairly detailed sexual encounter. The mystery of Archer’s curse and the hidden enemy remains - and there is only a hint at how Miranda might save him - but you don’t know until the end.  This is an excellent debut novel which I really enjoyed.  I will definitely look forward to more from this author.

One phrase I particularly liked:
"Her strangled request drove the air from his lungs. He struggled to find more, his heart a panicked rabbit in the cage of his ribs." p199.

Thank you to Forever Romance for this book to read and review.
This takes place in London, England.
I will add this to my ARC and New Author challenges.

Check the Giveaway post for a chance to win this book with another good paranormal romance, Midnight Reckoning.

Book Review: Midnight Reckoning (Dark Dynasties) by Kendra Leigh Castle

This is very engaging with strong protagonists.

Midnight Reckoning (Dark Dynasties) 

by Kendra Leigh Castle

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (January 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1609418387
• ISBN-13: 978-1609418380

      Genre: Paranormal Romance
      My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description 

Two separate worlds . . .

One passion that binds them

Wild and passionate by nature, Lyra Black is not just any werewolf. She's the future leader of the powerful pack of the Thorn-if she can stay alive long enough to inherit the title.

One of the Cait Sith bloodline of vampire cat-shifters, Jaden Harrison has no interest in the wars plaguing the world of night. But when he rescues Lyra from a violent attack, they're both captured by an insatiable desire that threatens to overwhelm them and bind them together for eternity . . . just as ancient enemies prepare to strike. And when they do, the Thorn and the Cait Sith-and Lyra and Jaden's love-may never recover from the deadly blow . . .

Review:

Lyra Black is the only child of her father, the Alpha leader of the Thorn werewolf pack. She is beautiful, smart and pretty much fearless. She is determined to participate in the Proving where the werewolves battle for the right to become the next Alpha of the pack.  The problem is that her father and friends refuse to train her to fight and she is seriously out “manned” by the bigger wolves, especially her cousin, Eric, who has a very nasty reputation. Even though there are concerns that Eric’s leadership would be repressive, it is the tradition of the pack that they conform to the leader.

Jaden is a powerful vampire cat-shifter who has recently been freed from a live of slavery. He met Lyra briefly once before and hasn’t been able to get her off his mind. He stumbles upon her and rescues her when she is attacked by a larger wolf. He is so intrigued that he decides to help train her to fight in ways that are suitable to her slight build - flexible and fast.  Although they are two different species and have no business wanting to be together the attraction is undeniable.  Jaden thinks that maybe he has found a woman who is strong enough for him.  But if Lyra dares to succumb she will be driven from her pack and lose everything she has ever loved.

As they struggle with fulfilling or losing their individual dreams, Jaden has to duck attacks from an old enemy. Meanwhile the pack doesn’t know that there is one among them who is leading them toward destruction.

These are both wonderfully strong characters caught in lonely lives. I was rooting for them all along hoping they could overcome the difficulties and be able to be together. There is plenty of action, emotional and romantic conflict, with sensual interaction leading to a sexy union. The writing is easy and there is underlying humor that makes the reading even better.  I’m sorry I missed the first book in the series and hope to pick that up as well as additional books by this author.

A couple of passages I liked:
"When you were a vampire, especially a lowly shape-shifting cat of a vampire, deadly kisses were sort of your stock and trade." p 2
"[Lyra had] been so worried about shaping her own destiny she'd nearly missed the best parts that fate had sent her."  p 331

Thank you to Forever Romance for the book to read and review.
This is set primarily in Silver Falls, NY for my Where Are You Reading Map.
I will add this to my ARC and New Author challenges.

Check out the Author mini-Interview and Giveaway post for a chance to win this book together with Firelight by Kristen Callihan - two great reads!