Sharing Beyond Books #34 Comment Giveaway February 4, 2012

Welcome once more to SBB. I hope everyone had a good first week sliding into February. I am still moving at fast speed..

Thank you to all those who commented last week.
Most of us are not fans of love triangles although they are okay if there is no infidelity, no cheating and it moves along quickly so no unnecessary pain. lag123 mentioned Stephanie Plum but I know some people have gotten tired of that trio after so many books.

It was fun to read the different 'picky habits.' Several agree with liking the toilet paper in the front but there are those who like it the other way - does that make you the "odd ones"?? Only kidding. A number of us like to do certain chores our own way. Several of you  have pet peeve's relating to your book collections. How fitting. :-)  It sounds like there might be some more "peeves" to share so I'll bring that question back in the future.

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The Winner from SBB #33 comments is: #12 Jane. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from, 3 Christmas choices and 1 Summer title below. Jane please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, the one summer book below OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #34 Questions

Q1. This week Emily asks:  Would you rather be a Princess in a castle in medieval times, or a millionaire in the 1800s, OR a cavewoman??

A:  Hmmm--- I'll pass on the cavewoman but it's harder to decide between a Medieval Princess or an 1800's millionaire??  I'm choosing to be an millionairess in the 1800s - a few more amenities.

Q2. Here is my question: When did you start keeping a list of books you have read??

A:  I started keeping a book list in 2001 when my children were old enough that I started reading more.  I bought a software called Readerware and used that from 2005 through 2009. Now the lists are on my blog. I also started in 2004 keeping favorite author lists to track the books I read, had to read or had to buy - no sense getting duplicates although it still happens now and then.

 List found at Century Farmhouse

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form.  At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is getting low so feel free to send in a Q or 2 or 4! Remember they don't all have to be book related. I'm going to be asking some other questions soon! 

Your turn to share:

1. This week Emily asks: Would you rather be a Princess in a castle in medieval times, or a millionaire in the 1800s, OR a cavewoman??

2. When did you start keeping a list of books you have read??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 12 books available plus 2 left in the Summer titles to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

 
A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles)
I love Susan Wigg's historicals!

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10PM central.

Winners of Deeper Water and A Demon Does it Better

CONGRATULATIONS 

to the Winners of

Two Copies of Deeper Water

Carol M
and
misskallie2000

ARC copy of  A Demon Does it Better

Pam K

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

Audio Book Review: Grant Me Timely Grace by Timothy Woods

This is full of intrigue and peeks into what might have been happening in Washington during the Civil War days leading up to Gettysburg.

Grant Me Timely Grace

• UNABRIDGED
• by Timothy Woods
• Narrated by Andy Mack

LENGTH 16 hrs and 38 mins
AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE 09-09-11
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description

Washington, D.C., June 1863. It is the week before Gettysburg, and the nation's fate hangs in the balance.

A Union officer was not court-martialed after disobeying a direct order during battle. Why?

Major Russell Johns is being played by puppet-master, Gerard Chantier. Transplanted New Orleans businessman and toast of the town. Chantier hosts the city’s most lavish entertainments attended by members of Lincoln’s cabinet and Washington’s elite.

Little do they know Gerard is coordinating an attack with Confederate general JEB Stuart's cavalry to take over the city, kidnap Lincoln and bring victory to the South.

When Russell’s probing brings him in contact with Chantier's daughter, Thérèse, he has to face his most difficult moral choice: manipulating her to get to her father or honoring the one thing that has sustained him through years of battle and loss—his own integrity.

Review:
The Civil War history is woven into this fictional drama so skillfully that I had to wonder which parts were completely real and which were all fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspects.

Major Russell Johns has been sent out of battle, which is his passion, back to desk work. Someone exposed his letters to his father in which he ranted against the inferior weapons the Union leaders were providing to the troops. His father has been forced out of Washington and Major Johns is trying to overcome the disgrace of his near court-martial.

Johns gets caught up with his friend Paul and the wealthy Chantier family. Johns doesn’t belong in this elite and privileged social set but the young and impetuous daughter, Therese, has taken a clear liking to him. Johns begins to investigate improper weapons accounting and soon suspects there is much more than just normal government mismanagement. The more he searches the more he finds that much of the rumors and business dealings revolve around the wealthy Gerald Chantier. What he doesn’t realize at first is the extent of secrets and spies that surround him.

Chantier acts the benevolent patron of the Union while he secretly plots to bring down the capital city itself. Meanwhile, James, his life long friend and a former slave, is working to train a black militia to help defend the city. James is also struggling under the weight of guilt for a past betrayal that he can’t decide if he should confess.

While all of the political and military moves are going on, Therese has decided to assert her freedom of will.  She breaks off her arranged engagement to a British operative who is another spy tied up with her father. She is seeking more information from James about her mother’s past and she goes so far as to sell jewelry so she will have money not controlled by her father. What Therese doesn’t realize though is that her rather nasty friend, Rachel, is the biggest spy monger and will use anyone to further her own ends. Rachel is a character you can quickly dislike.

There is plenty of intrigue that kept me interested in the story. I was invested in Johns’ behavior, wanting things to go well for him and wanting him to capture the bad guys and save the day. Things don’t always work out perfectly but it is a believable and realistic ending.

The narration reading is a little dry and the beginning was just a bit slow. However the more the story moved on the more engrossed I became.  The narrator does a good job with many of the voices although I thought the female accents were a bit inconsistent, weak and whiny. Then again... that was part of Therese’s personality.  All in all, this is an engaging story and well worth listening to especially if you love Civil War settings, like I do.  I will watch for more books from this author.

I received this book from Crossroad Press through the Review Program at Audiobook Jukebox.

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.