Sharing Beyond Books #38 Comment Giveaway March 3, 2012

Welcome to another Saturday SBB. I had another busy week and am relaxing a bit tonight after an enjoyable ladies retreat ...except the outlet shopping got rained out.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.
Looks like the largest group (eight) picked their current, cozy and comfy bedrooms, as their favorite.  Three picked childhood bedrooms. The others varied, including two who liked the bedroom when they first moved from home, mother's bedroom (miki), when first married and Ricki chose her parent's guest room which sounds like a nice mini-apartment.

I enjoyed learning what books you had given for fun and as gifts and the varied recipients: family and friends.There were self-help books, non-fiction, fiction and children's books. Happy giving!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #37 comments is: #12 bn100. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. bn100 please let me know if you want a GC (if you are international) or 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 #38 Questions

Q1. This week Marjorie asks: Do you think some blogs are going overboard when they request so many enteries now into giveaways??

A:  I have seen blogs that have tons of ways to enter and it seems like too much. I don't know how people feel about my usual requiring the entrants to visit the author's site but I do that since it is my goal to promote the author and book.  I especially think it is important to limit entries when on a giveaway hop! Also it is somewhat annoying during a giveaway hop to have to fill out captcha (which I have to do twice 2 out of 3 times) but I can understand wanting to protect your site. That is why I use the moderation option.

Image found at http://instantnoodlecomics.com/

Q2. My book related question this week: Do you like ratings (1-5 or other) and do you rely on them??

A:  I do like rating systems and I love the creative designs some us. (Someday I maybe get one created for me.) Although I am sometimes impressed by a 1-10 system or a 100 point variety, I think the 1-5 is simplest. I do refer to the ratings but I do not rely on them because it is more important to check the reviews to know why someone liked, or did not like, the book. Since we like different genres and styles it is important to recognize that we will often not rate the same book at the same level.

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 being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions!  

Your turn to share:

1. Marjorie asks: Do you think some blogs are going overboard when they request so many enteries now into giveaways??

2. My book related question this week: Do you like ratings (1-5 or other) and do you rely on them??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 10 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

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, March 9, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winner of My Sparkling Misfortune

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER OF

 Giveaways Ending March 2

My Sparkling Misfortune - ebook

Tore please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send your email to the author.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to those who entered.

Book Review: The Night is Mine by M.L. Buchman

Great action and romance story!

The Night is Mine

by M.L. Buchman

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402258100
• ISBN-13: 978-1402258107

     Genre: Military, Romantic Suspense
     My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2012 | Series: The Night Stalker

NAME: Emily Beale

RANK: Captain

MISSION: Fly undercover to prevent the assassination of the First Lady, posing as her executive pilot.

NAME: Mark Henderson, code name Viper

RANK: Major

MISSION: Undercover role of wealthy, ex-mercenary boyfriend to Emily

Their jobs are high risk, high reward:

Protect the lives of the powerful and the elite at all cost. Neither expected that one kiss could distract them from their mission. But as the passion mounts between them, their lives and their hearts will both be risked...and the reward this time may well be worth it.

Review:  This book has strong characters, a suspenseful plot and fast pacing to make a very entertaining read.

Captain Emily Beale has had to fight her way to be counted as a valued member of the SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment) elite flying team. She has proven herself in many missions, pulling through with skill and guts. She works hard to be even better than the men she works with so she isn’t exactly happy when a news crew focuses on her unique cooking skills in the field instead of her flying achievements. But those skills pull her out of her unit to a special undercover assignment as chef, personal pilot and protector to the First Lady. Emily doesn’t like the woman much but can’t really refuse the orders since they come from the Commander in Chief himself who happened to be her childhood “boy next door” crush.

Major Mark Henderson recognizes Beale as one of the best pilots under his command. He has tried to treat her equally with the guys but it has been hard as his admiration for her keeps expanding. He is furious to learn she has been pulled from his team with no explanation. He realizes he wants her back... and for more than her military skills. Although fraternizing with a lower ranking officer could lose them both their jobs, Mark can’t resist a kiss right before she is shipped out. That taste has him chasing after her to find what she is up to and make sure she is safe.

Emily and Mark end up expanding her undercover scheme to include him as her high power boyfriend in order to help ferret out the secrets of who is attempting to assassinate the First Lady. As they play their roles they lose the battle of trying to resist the chemical pull that they now acknowledge between them but is such a danger to their careers.

There is lots of intense flight action to kick this off. As the book progresses there are fun cooking details, trouble in the first family, challenges with the Secret Service, explosive helicopter rides, traumatic eye injury, and jealous misunderstandings. The plot was a bit outlandish but it was different and fun.

Emily is a fabulously dedicated and skilled pilot - a great, strong heroine with brains and determination. Mark is equally tough and strong with a sense of humor thrown in to add a little fun. The writing is especially crisp in the action scenes, giving the tempo an extra punch. The romance is sensual and sexy without being graphic.  This was a fast read in pacing and because the excitement and suspense levels kept me glued to the action.

I happened to see this appropriate comment under the Product description:

Booklist (Starred review!)
"Readers who enjoy Suzanne Brockmann, Vicki Hinze, and Merline Lovelace as well as those who like good romantic suspense, military or otherwise, will enjoy the first book in the Night Stalkers series."

Those are three authors I love and I will add Mr. Buchman to the list if he produces more good reads like this. I'm ready for more in this series!

~~~~~

Some 'romantic' observations:
By Mark:
And when Captain Emily Beale flew ten tons of armored attack helicopter into battle, it was absolutely the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. Location 437.
By Emily:
Could she have found a more unlikely guardian angel than Major Mark “The Viper” Henderson? And who knew angels could make her feel so d**n happy. Location 1791.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book through NetGalley.

This was set primarily in Washington, D.C. for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to the ARC and New Author lists.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 2, 2012

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

Well this week has been a bit calmer for me. But I have a busy weekend with ladies' retreat starting this afternoon. I'll be driving to Destin to enjoy time with a group of ladies from church.

I finally got the new book sets up. I decided on pairs instead of threes.


Thank you to all who entered February 24 Pick.  There was 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).  The Wedding Wager was blocked again :-(

Carol M choose Midnight Come Again for four weeks with no block.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from February 24 Pick:

Nathalia chose Foundation (a classic!)
and

Maria chose A Far and Deadly Cry

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 and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks. 

Let's start March with a Tea Party -

But don't spill on the book!
Art by minitreehouse (Charles Santoso)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

Cathy Maxwell - Marriage Series

     Married in Haste (#1) and The Marriage Contract (#3)

Maggie Shayne - Wings of Night Series

     Demon's Kiss (#1)  and Lover's Bite (#2) or #13 and #14 in the larger series
Jude Deveraux - The Velvet Series
     Velvet Song and Velvet Angel
Sabrina Jeffries - The School For Heiresses Series
     Only a Duke Will Do (#2) and Beware a Scot's Revenge (#3)
Nora Roberts
     Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
Mary Higgins Clark
     Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You  (SC)
Dick Francis
     Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen
James Patterson
     Sam's Letters to Jennifer and The Beach House    

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 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

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 314 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: Keeper of My Heart by Darcy Flynn WITH Giveaway

This is a warm, sweet romance good for a good light read.

Keeper of My Heart

by Darcy Flynn

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 362 KB
• Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing (February 7, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00775ITM2

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description

Katie McCullough doesn’t know it, but Max Sawyer, the over confident, insufferable thief who outbid her for the lighthouse property, is none other than her mystery lighthouse sailor. The one man who captured her heart five years earlier, the one man who has since been the plumb line for every other unsuspecting male who has crossed her path. Unfortunately for Max, he doesn’t measure up either.

Still reeling from losing the property she’d planned to call home, sparks fly when Katie assumes Max is turning her beloved lighthouse compound into one of his “Serenity Spa Resorts.” Outraged, Katie sets out on a mission to dismantle the property…and his plans.

Except Max’s plans have absolutely nothing to do with hotels and everything to do with winning Katie’s heart.

Review: 
I don’t know why but I am drawn to stories about lighthouses. Even though that isn’t the heart of this story it is a beautiful element.

Katie McCullough loved the lighthouse station since she was a young girl. She had lost her parents young and then lost her brother to a car accident when she was only 16. A young naval officer friend of her brother’s found her in the lighthouse tower and comforted her after the funeral.  She never saw his face or got his name but he became “my sailor.” They corresponded for a couple of years and then the letters stopped. During those years Katie lived with her bitter aunt.  Katie has struggled to put herself through school and work two jobs saving money so that she can purchase the lighthouse property from the city when they auction it. She plans to move in with her adopted grandfather, “Pop”, who was once the keeper. At the last minute, an out of town developer steps in and outbids her.

Max Sawyer is a successful developer who has converted other properties into lush spa resorts. But he has special plans for the lighthouse in Paige Point, Maryland. He planned to purchase the property for the girl he comforted and who won his heart five years ago. It doesn’t take long for him to find the girl but she instantly turns out to be hostile and difficult. He doesn’t reveal his connection to her but tries to befriend her in spite of her clear antagonism which he doesn’t understand.

Katie won’t reveal her heart break over losing the property she cherished. That doesn’t mean she has to like the man who bought it even if he seems to be nice to her and “Pop.”

This story has a bit of “Kiss Me Kate”/“Taming of the Shrew” features and even has the movie as a town summer program which is a fun irony. Katie’s actions are rather shrewish and immature as she refuses to be straightforward about her family possessions in the property and instead sneaks in to take them - pieces at a time. Max is wonderfully patient and romantic. The characters have nice development so that their motives and actions make sense even if I was sometimes shaking my head saying "what are you doing?" to Katie.

The story is sweet and heartwarming and the writing has an easy, light flow. This is a quick read and solidly entertaining. This book brought my attention to the author and the publisher and I will be looking to read more from both.

~~~~~~

I enjoy when the writing connects to the setting or title like the quotes below.
Katie:
She felt an inward pull toward him, like a float on a wave being brought to shore. Buoyant, but helpless. Location 544.

Max:
“She was my keeper girl until her wicked aunt tried to keep us apart.” Location 2053.

Thank you to the author and Bewitching Blog Tour for providing this book. Click on the link to see the full tour stops with guest posts and interviews.

BIO-Darcy Flynn

Darcy was born into the rich culture of New Orleans, La.  As a city filled with colorful historical intrigue and broad creative energy, her natural bent to the arts coupled with her love for one of the most romantic cities in the world has been the inspiration and anchor of her artistic multi-dimension endeavors. Darcy was always compelled by the need to express herself and like her mother’s famous gumbo, her previous expressions included a little bit of everything - art, music, acting and dance.

 

Although, published in music, art and the Christian non-fiction market under another identity, it was the empty nest that turned Darcy to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, unfolds in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay.

Darcy, a former Mrs. Tennessee, continues to be surrounded by all things creative in Music City and when not in writing in her London flat, lives on a beautiful horse farm in historic- Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, son, two English Setters and a calico cat.  Darcy enjoys stargazing, raising rare breed chickens and gardening.

Visit Darcy at www.darcyflynnromances.com