Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 30, 2012

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

Happy Friday and end of March! How surprising to be at the end of a quarter already.  I hope everyone is ready for a happy April. This has been another busy week for me - that is such a mixed blessing.

Thank you to all who entered March 23 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). 
There was a block this week but one won the luck of the draw. :-)

Maria chose Lines of Defense for four weeks with no block (no one else choosing the book.).

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from March 23 Pick:

Leah chose Let Me Call You Sweetheart which is a pair with
Moonlight Becomes Her 
and

Faith Hope Cherrytea chose November of the Heart
(This choice has been blocked from automatic win for several weeks but --
once again luck of the draw and persistence pays off!)

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. 

Oh I love this picture of such beautiful things

flowers, butterflies and a book!

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

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)

Blog Tour: How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling April 1 - 10

Visit me on April 5 for Review and Giveaway of How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling
Below are the other tour stops to visit.
Why Should Rogues Have All The Fun?

 

Blog Tour with Author Vicky Dreiling!

 

SCANDALOUS DESIRES . . .
Amy Hardwick has one last Season to shake off her wallflower image and make a love match. If she can't, she'll set aside her dreams of romance and return home to a suitor who can provide security-if little else. What she doesn't count on is the inappropriate-and irresistible-attention lavished on her in a darkened library by rake extraordinaire Will "The Devil" Darcett . .

DEVILISH DELIGHT
When Will is caught in a tryst with the ton's shyest miss, he knows he must offer for her hand. Yet Amy is not the shrinking violet she seems to be. Passion lies beneath her prim exterior and Will is eager to release it. But winning Amy isn't simply a matter of seduction; first, Will must convince her that he's mended his wicked ways . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her "Trouble."

When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit who lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage.You can learn more at: VickyDreiling.net

 

BLOG URL                       POSTING DATE        Tour Participation 
http://maryinhb.blogspot.com    APRIL 1st    Review, Giveaway  http://romancingrakes4theloveofromance.blogspot.com    APRIL 1st    Review, Giveaway, Interview 
http://www.justanothernewblog.com    APRIL 1st    Giveaway   
http://blog.readaholic.info    APRIL 1st    Feature, Giveaway   
http://www.thebookgirl.net    APRIL 2nd    Review, Giveaway   
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com    APRIL 2nd    Giveaway, Interview 
www.mybookaddictionandmore.com    APRIL 2nd    Review, Giveaway, Interview 
http://www.books-n-kisses.com/    APRIL 3rd    Review, Feature, Giveaway, Interview  http://asthepagesturn.blogspot.com/    APRIL 3rd    Feature, Giveaway   
http://saveyspender.com    APRIL 3rd    Review, Giveaway   
http://beasbooknook.blogspot.com/    APRIL 4th    Feature, Giveaway   
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/    APRIL 4th    Review, Giveaway 
http://www.frugalplus.com/    APRIL 4th    Review, Giveaway   
http://hangingwithbells.blogspot.com/    APRIL 5th    Feature, Giveaway   
http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com    APRIL 5th    Giveaway   
http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/    APRIL 5th    Review, Feature, Giveaway   
my-book-views.blogspot.com    APRIL 5th    Review, Giveaway   
www.sosaloha.blogspot.com    APRIL 6th    Review, Feature, Giveaway   
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/    APRIL 6th    Feature, Giveaway   
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/    APRIL 6th    Feature, Giveaway   
http://literaryconnections.blogspot.com/    APRIL 6th    Review, Giveaway, Interview  http://takingtimeformommy.com & http://mommyreadstoomuch.com  APRIL 6th  Review, Giveaway   
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com    APRIL 7th    Review, Feature, Giveaway   
www.boekiesbookreviews.com    APRIL 7th    Review, Giveaway   
ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com    APRIL 8th    Review, Feature, Giveaway   
Lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com    APRIL 8th    Review, Giveaway   
http://readingwithstyle.blogspot.com    APRIL 8th    Review, Giveaway   
http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/    APRIL 8th    Review, Giveaway   
www.stitchreadcook.com    APRIL 8th    Review, Feature, Giveaway   
karalovesreading.blogspot.com    APRIL 8th    Review, Giveaway   
http://www.sarahsblogoffun.com    APRIL 8th    Review, Giveaway   
http://bodicerippernovels.wordpress.com    APRIL 9th    Giveaway   
marygramlich.blogspot.com    APRIL 9th    Review, Giveaway   
www.demonloversbooksandmore.com    APRIL 9th    Review, Feature, Giveaway   
http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com    APRIL 10th    Review, Feature   
http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com    APRIL 10th    Review, Giveaway   
http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com    APRIL 10th    Review, Giveaway   
http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/    APRIL 10th    Review, Feature, Giveaway, Interview   
www.seductivemusings.blogspot.com    APRIL 10th    Review, Feature, Giveaway, Interview

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Believe it or Not by Tawna Fenske

This story is really great fun!

Believe It or Not
by Tawna Fenske

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (March 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140225718X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402257186 

      Genre:  Romantic Comedy
      My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Do you believe in...accounting?
Numbers never lie, so Violet McGinn found safe haven in the most boring profession she could find. Until her renowned psychic mother lands in the hospital and Violet has to run her business. Now you can have your taxes filed and your aura read, in one convenient location.
Do you believe in...music?
Drew Watson is the jaded owner of the local hot spot next door, and doesn't need a single thing except a good crowd to dance to what he's spinning on Saturday night.
Do you believe in...love?
The only thing Violet and Drew seem to have in common is that neither believes in that psychic hoo—hah. Except Drew seems to play exactly the right song at exactly the right time. And truth be told, it makes Violet's heart dance just a little ...

Review:
Violet has returned from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon to help her mother, Moonbeam. Violet selected a career in accounting and moved far away to distance herself from her rather eccentric mother who is a new age, hippy type psychic.  Moonbeam fell and is in the hospital so Violet has to manage her psychic business. The problem is that Violet doesn’t really believe in psychics.  The only way she is managing the psychic appointments is with fitting clues provided by the music she hears from the neighboring bar.

Drew owns the bar that shares building space with Moonbeam’s shop/parlor.  He doesn’t believe in Moonbeam’s abilities and she complains because he has male strippers at the bar and he makes a habit of dating bimbos.  Drew is impressed with Violet’s vibrant, violet eyes but he thinks he’ll keep his distance since she seems like such a business professional; too much like his lawyer ex-wife.  And he isn’t too happy that she is going to be faking to carry on her mother’s business. For fun though he gives her a magic 8 ball to help out.

Violet thinks Drew lives an alternative lifestyle considering he runs a bar with male strippers and his main helper is “Sam.”  She is rather disappointed since she finds him very attractive!  It’s a good thing that Moonbeam’s doctor is interested in Violet and he is wholesome, healthy, single and “normal.”

The exchange between Violet and Drew is deliciously fun. She asks four questions in a row and he gives the answers in a row... which is much more fun than that sounds. They would be all over each other if they weren’t fighting the attraction so hard.

Violet has done a reading that has angered the landlord and he’s threatening to sell the building.   She’s also influenced one of Drew’s employees upsetting him and she has another reading that might effect his business. Meanwhile Moonbeam continues making mischief from her hospital room.

The writing is light and the momentum snappy.  Ms. Fenske shares a lot of humor with her quirky characters and unique plot circumstances.  My only disappointment was the ending because I wanted more multiple questions with multiple answers and more background music for psychic answers. :-)  I recommend this fun, easy story, and Ms. Fenske's first novel, Making Waves, as perfect reading to bring smiles and chuckles.



The first meeting question and answer routine (at page 9):
     He saw her blink in the dim light as she gripped the statue in one hand. “Who’s that? Are you looking for money? How did you get in here? What do you want?"
     He cocked his head to one side. “Drew. No. Key. Mice.”

A later question and answer routine (at page 289):
     Drew covered the distance to the end of the bar in just a few steps, his heart racing stupidly. “Is everything okay? Are you hurt? Drunk? Why are you here?”
     She grinned at him .... “Yes. No. No. To seduce you.” 

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

This is set in Portland, Oregon for my Where Are You Reading Challenge.  I will also add it to my ARC Challenge.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC 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 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.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 6, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on April 7 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Book Review: Echo Falls by Jaime McDougall

This story grabs you from the first sentence and keeps up a nice fast pace - good entertainment..

Echo Falls

by Jaime McDougall

• File Size: 285 KB
• Print Length: 240 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (July 15, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005FQN2A4

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Running from a nightmare stalking her every move, Phoebe Martin arrives in Echo Falls hoping she has finally found a safe place to stop. But trouble has a way of catching up and soon the signs are there.

After a vicious attack in an alley, policeman Aidan O'Bryan is left with Phoebe as his only path to understanding why the Echo Falls werewolf pack - his pack - is being attacked. When another pack member is killed, Phoebe is forced to confront her past before she loses Aidan and everything she has come to love.

Love and duty become one as Aidan strives to prevent Phoebe from becoming the next victim. But with Phoebe just as determined to protect Aidan and her new home, secrets from her past threaten to tear them apart.

Will love give Phoebe the strength to trust Aidan and face her fears, or will her past destroy her future?

Review:  This is a fast paced read with warm characters.
Phoebe has recently moved to Echo Falls and is hoping to stay and set up a photography business. She thinks she has finally out run the trouble that has chased her. Unfortunately she is attacked and soon learns that there is a murderer in town. Although not certain at first she does suspect that the killer, hunter, has followed her. But Phoebe is alone and has never had the responsibilities or protection of a pack.

Aidan is the local werewolf pack leader and a police officer. He rescues Phoebe from a fierce attack then tries to question her to see if she remembers and is alarmed by the ‘non human’ combatants.  It is quite clear that Phoebe doesn’t want to be questioned, doesn’t want help and is hiding secrets.  Though Phoebe may not be part of his pack, Aidan has determined that he wants to protect her.

As more lone weres are killed it appears that the killer has a partner within the pack.  When one of Aidan’s own pack friends dies the betrayal becomes even more painful.

I really liked Phoebe’s strength and determination. Unfortunately her decision not to reveal facts hinders the investigation and her insistence on not seeking help only puts herself and others at risk. 

Aidan is just what you’d look for in an alpha male: strong, dedicated and protective. He is a warm character with friends who support him even when times are troubled. Phoebe may have to find out if he will forgive her for her secrets and the danger that has followed her to his community.

The ‘hunter’ is a nasty piece of work and is portrayed well.  He has some oily charm but underneath is a shallow brute.  It is fairly easy to guess which member of the pack is helping him. Even though the mystery is revealed pretty quickly, the danger of the situation kept my attention hoping that Phoebe really could find a way to defeat the killer. Not likely, but I give her points for deciding to stop running and stand her ground. 

The writing flowed well with good action and interesting and warm characters. The romance is sensual and tasteful. I enjoyed this quick read and would like more stories by Ms. McDougall. I recommend this to those who enjoy warm werewolf stories with a little mystery and lots of danger.

The Hook:
Keep running, keep running, keep running. Location 21.

Smooth ease in the writing:
She silently told it [her growling stomach] to be quiet, wanting the easy drift of sleep for just a while longer. Location 54-55

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

I'm not positive but I believe the location is in Washington for my Where are you Reading Challenge. I will include this in my ARC challenge.

Winners of Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop.

US/Canadian Winners: June Julianne and Savannah
1.  June M. chose #2 The Romantic Suspense Package
2.  Julianne chose #3 The Paranormal Romance Package
and
3.  Savannah M chose #5 The Cowboys Package

International Winner:  Mystica
Mystica chose The Guardian by Margaret Mallory

Thank you to everyone who entered. Happy reading to ALL!