Winner of Bleed For Me

Thank you to all who entered.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF

ARC Copy of Bleed for Me 

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

Book Review: Tangled in Time by Pauline Baird Jones

When I read this Sci Fi/Steampunk Romance Novella and I couldn't put it down. It was wonderful with great gentle humor!

Tangled in Time

by Pauline Baird Jones

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 213 KB

Publisher: L&L Dreamspell (November 19, 2010)

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services

Language: English

ASIN: B004D4YL18

Genre: Science Fiction Romance 
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Product Description

Colonel Carey (from The Key and Girl Gone Nova) takes a test "flight" through the Garradian time-space portal, but an unexpected impact lands him somewhere and some when. As he attempts to get to Area 51, he crosses paths with Miss Olivia Carstairs, who could be Mary Poppins' twin sister. Or maybe her cousin. Olivia's got a transmogrification machine powered by steam and a mouth he'd like to kiss like it was his job. Can he convince her to join forces before she shoots him with her derringer?

Review:
This is a quick, fun novella in the Project Enterprise series.
Colonel Carey is a sharp soldier who appeared in the first two books as an officer on The Doolittle, the Earth ship hovering off the planet Kikk. During a test "flight" through the time-space portal at the outpost he has a rough ride ending up someplace other than where he is supposed to be.  As he checks out the area he spots a strange submarine shaped space ship. Outside the ship he spots a Mary Poppins' twin with an umbrella ... and a derringer aimed at him.

Olivia is a prim and proper young lady who chose to be a scientist's assistant rather than marry a boringly proper beau. Which is a bit unconventional for a woman from 1894. Olivia has arrived in the wrong place, and time, in a steam powered transmogrification machine. Now they have to figure a way to get back to where they came from. Things get sticky when an army patrol picks them up and then Dr. Tobias Smith steps in trying to convince Olivia to go with him.

This story moves quickly with warm characters, sweet interaction and quirky dialogue between a1894 bluestocking girl and a 2010 soldier guy. There is a bit of suspense and mystery that kept me wondering. Again, this story could be read alone but has more meaning and connection with the past characters and situations when read in order in the series. I was sorry this one was so short and looked forward to the next book!

Some humorous quotes:
Carey thinking about Olivia:

Seriously, he could kiss this girl like it was his job. P36.

Olivia thinking about Carey:

If a woman of science could not figure how to get a man to kiss her, she did not deserve the label. P.67.

Olivia's response to crashing in a chopper:

“I rode in a flying machine and crashed. Everything is better than all right. It is bodacious.” P68.

Thank you to the author for another wonderful book to enjoy and review.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway 3/9/2012

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

How is everyone doing this week? Can you believe we are well into March already?  I had another strange and busy week. I either crash at night or stay up too late.:-(

Thank you to all who entered March 2 Pick.  There were TWO 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).  There were five books blocked but two were won by random pick. :-)
miki choose Moonfire for four weeks with no block.
lag123 choose Destiny Unleashed for four weeks with no block.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from March 2 Pick:

Cheryl C chose Sabrina Jeffries - The School of Heiresses Pair
and

Linda K chose The Wedding Wager (which has been blocked for weeks)

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. 

This week's March book image was found at

Eve's Fan Garden

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 318 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: Girl Gone Nova by Pauline Baird Jones

This is a book with a great science/black ops heroine; a sexy alien leader; danger; time traveling bad guys and impossible situations.

Girl Gone Nova 

by Pauline Baird Jones

Paperback: 434 pages

Publisher: L & L Dreamspell (April 29, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1603182047

ISBN-13: 978-1603182041

Genre:  Science Fiction Romance
My Rating: 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2010

Doc-Delilah Oliver Clementyne's-orders are simple: do the impossible and do it yesterday. A genius/bad ass, she does the impossible on a regular basis. But this time the impossible is complicated by an imminent war between the Earth expedition to the Garradian Galaxy and the Gadi, an encounter with some wife-hunting aliens, and not one but two bands of time travelers. The only way it could get worse? If the heart she didn't know she had starts beating for the wrong guy...

Review:  This has great imagination and characterization. I love the characters and love the story even more. 

This is book Two of the Project Enterprise series and is set two years after The Key. Doc, Delilah Oliver Clementyne, has been transferred to the Earth expedition ship, the Doolittle.  Doc is sometimes called “Morticia” due to her dark hair, white face and cool demeanor. What no one realizes is that she is also“the Chameleon.” She is a super spy, portrayed as a Doctor, but so much more.  Doc has always had a brain that manages multiple tasks at super speed. She is accustomed to accomplishing the impossible although she knows the odds on continuing to do so are against her. She has never had time for romance or met anyone who sparked her libido...until now.

Helfron Giddioni is the leader of the Gadi people.  The Gadi and Dusan leaders had tried to capture “the Key” two years before until the Gadi and Earth forces joined to defeat the brutal Dusan. The Gadi still want control of the Kikk outpost which has some remarkable technology including travel portals. General Halliwell is the Earth commander who is negotiating with the Gadi leader, a man he doesn’t like or trust from prior experience, in a delicate dance of diplomacy.

Shortly into this story an assassination attempt is made against the two leaders, General Halliwell and Helfron.  Doc’s hidden talents help her to survive the bomb attack, eliminate the “clean-up” crew and thwart a second bombing. Hel had already noticed Doc and now suspects there is more to her than meets the eye.  A fragile agreement has to be made to work with Hel to uncover the espionage and protect their position and future negotiations.

Doc heads off to the outpost to study the technology and try to retrieve a team that went through the portals two years before. On her way she is captured by “Conan”, Vidor Shan, the leader of a barbarian looking group of men out to capture women to replenish their race. Now both Hel and General Halliwell are desperate to locate her.

As if dealing with hostile races isn’t enough, Doc has to try to figure out why Dr. Tobias Smith is messing with time. Yet her efforts to go back in time may cause a paradox and a change to current time.

There is plenty of intrigue and action as well as puzzling time travel issues. The friendly, sentient nanites are added fun companions to Doc, as they were with Sara in The Key.  There is immediate attraction and interest that draws Hel and Doc, even though they are an unlikely pair. But their new found emotion and love is torn by a time shift leaving Doc alone once more unless she can reach Hel and convince him to help them again.

I love the adventure, the alien setting, the action and the humor of these stories. Pauline sets up a believable time travel scenario with all the paradoxes that should be expected. The characters are rich and likeable; even the pirate, bad boy Vidor, has engaging qualities. The writing has a wonderful fast pace that fits the tale. This can be read alone but it works much better if you read The Key first.

~~~~~~

 A taste of action:

Doc studied the timer on the bomb as her brain kicked into a predictable kaleidoscope of higher gears. Despite the surge of data, there was a precision to it, as if her brain were a Swiss clock on steroids. EOD—Explosive Ordinance Detail—wouldn’t make it. She had maybe a minute to defuse it. The good news, a “Doc minute” was more than enough. P. 24-25

A touch of romance:

“Just don’t be surprised by what we find on the other side.” His smile was both wry and tender. “I have been surprised almost every minute since your people arrived in this galaxy, Delilah.” P. 348

Thank you to the author for providing the ebook to read and review.

Check out my review and giveaway for The Key.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Key by Pauline Baird Jones

This is one of my FAVORITE series!! I am highlighting the series this week with reviews, giveaways and an author interview. If you love action, snarky humor and clean romance, don't miss the Enterprise Project series! (My followers know that I don't gush...so this is me gushing in case you don't recognize it.)

THE KEY

by Pauline Baird Jones

• Perfect Paperback: 476 pages
• Publisher: L & L Dreamspell; 1st edition (August 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603180109
• ISBN-13: 978-1603180108

Genre: "A science fiction/action adventure romance novel"
My Rating: 5.0.

Book Description
Publication Date: July 15, 2009
When Sara Donovan joins Project Enterprise she finds out that what doesn't kill her makes her stronger. An Air Force pilot - the best of the best to be assigned to this mission - Sara isn't afraid to travel far beyond the Milky Way on an assignment that takes her into a galaxy torn apart by a long and bitter warfare between the Dusan and the Gadi. After she's shot down and manages to land safely on an inhospitable planet, Sara encounters Kiernan Fyn - a seriously hot alien with a few secrets of his own - he's a member of a resistance group called the Ojemba, lead by the mysterious and ruthless Kalian. Together they must avoid capture, but can they avoid their growing attraction to each other? A mysterious, hidden city on the planet brings Sara closer to the answers she seeks - about her baffling abilities and her mother's past. She has no idea she's being pulled into the same danger her mother fled - the key to a secret left behind by a lost civilization, the Garradians. The Dusan and the Gadi want the key. So do the Ojemba. They think Sara has it. They are willing to do anything to get it. Sara will have to do anything to stop them.

Review:

Captain Sara Donovan is a top military pilot with the secret Enterprise Project.  She is sent on special assignment to a warfare battle in another galaxy. The opposing armies are searching for a “key” to a lost civilization. Sara ends up in the middle of the action when it becomes apparent that she holds some secret to the key. 

Sara is shot down on an alien planet, Kikk, where she is rescued by Fyn, a big, muscled alien, wearing leather armament and with a full head of dreads. Fyn (dubbed "Chewie" for his size - he's not that hairy) is strong and fierce but kind and ultimately protective when it comes to Sara. Sara’s team picks them up and Fyn’s apparent warrior skills are soon put to use.  As they begin to get to know each other, though keeping secrets, the battles rage around them.

Sara’s craft is pulled by a strange force into a hidden city on the Kikk planet. As she explores the buildings she touches a panel and receives some “hitchhiker” nanites. They are little sentient, computer companions to their hosts and add other (fun) characters to the stories.

I was drawn into and invested emotionally in Sara’s character. As such I was impressed with Fyn as a hero, dreads and all.  Pauline does a great job with the action scenes so you feel you are right there facing the enemies or dodging the shots around you.  She also provides humorous, snarky dialogue. There are fun military euphemisms that take the place of most of the swearing.  Sara’s usual expletive is “Dang!”

I read this two years ago but never did my review. I have to say I enjoyed remembering the story as I skimmed through to prepare this review. I think reading the series closer together would help the reader keep track of the personalities, the time stream and the enemy force. This is a series that is a keeper for me and I will enjoy reading them all again.

I did get The Key on Audible.  I wasn't crazy about the narrator at first but she grew on me.  Or better... the story became so engrossing I didn't notice any more!  That is a sign of a really good story! This is a great series for anyone who likes sci fi action, like Star Trek or Galaxy Quest (funny movie!), with a clean, warm, intergalactic romance.

Examples of fun dialogue:
Colonel Carey:
“Looks like we have another furball, playmates,” Carey said.  “Fangs out and form up on me. Let’s teach these gomers their second lesson in intergalactic etiquette.” P 83.

Sara and Fyn:
“It didn’t seem right being there without you on my six.”
.....
“I do...like your...six,” he said, his voice husky. P 387.

 Thank you to the Author for the book to enjoy and share!  

I had to add these notes from the author's website as it will give you a taste of her humor!

Author's note: Following the release of The Key realized that some readers didn't know that my series is set in the present day, in a kind of alternate reality, I guess. Unless there IS a secret project taking our people to the stars on beyond. If that's the case, it is accidentally true.

Tags: space opera; science fiction romance; alternate universe; no sex; sexual tension; mild swearing

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the signed Review copy: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something that interests you there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower (GFC, Twitter, FB, email) or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. 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.
(Four total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.

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

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 16, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on March 17 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.