Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 8, 2012

We had a lovely service this morning and our Pastor gave a good sermon on The Number 2 --- as in two choices: The narrow gate or the broad way.

I could summarize the message but my heart is sorrowing and I am led to be still for a bit.

The song I am led to share for my soul today is

Be Still and Know by Steven Curtis Chapman

This video creator mentions reflecting on Psalm 46 -
I share these Verses for Today:

Psalm 46:1-3, and 10

¹God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

¹⁰Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

I am continuing to pray for strength and comfort for my family as we accept the passing of our Dad this week. While he was still in ICU he told me that he saw the face of God - I replied that was a good face to see. A few days later he told my sister and stepmom that he saw angels in the mountains. My dad was not a church goer but he always believed in God. On several occasions over the past few years we queried him to acknowledge that he believed in Jesus. We are comforted by the assurances that God is faithful to those who call upon His name.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #56 Comment Giveaway July 7, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Today was a relaxed day... I got up early to collect corn, peppers and tomatoes from are small garden. Then I was getting ready to go to the office but the DH started to cook the corn and said I had to stay to eat. Yum! So I stayed at home, cleaned a little and worked on the computer.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

Only two people actually use their favorite bookmarks: marybelle's well loved pinkish mouse and Jane's Animaniacs. :-) There were a couple of people who have favorite bookmarks but don't use them. The majority grab what's handy whether it's from a selection of book marks or available scraps!

At least half of us avoid the sun and several really do not like the heat. A couple burn and of the rest who tan you all said you are careful to use good sunscreen!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #55 comments is: #17 Cynthia. There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Cynthia please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the ARC/Review box (New Updated list at the Giveaway Hop) and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #56 Questions

Q1. Krystal asks: Do you enjoy urban fantasy or just plain fantasy more? Any favorite fantasy authors??

A: I like urban fantasy if it isn't too gritty. I also like plain fantasy. I know there are many more that I have not read but here are some of the urban fantasy series that I like: (thanks to Maryse's Book Blog where I found the basics for this this list!)

The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris I think I a at book #9.
The Hollows by Kim Harrison I need to read the most current release.
Cassandra Palmer by Karen Chance I thought I had read all but discovered I hadn't read #4 so I have that in my Audible Library now.
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs I have read all of these.
Gail Carriger’s Parasol Proectorate series I just finished book #5.
Kitty Norville by Carrie Vaughn I've only read one or two of these so far.
The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. I have read one and have two waiting.

Elemental Assassin Books by Jennifer Estep
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I have book 1 on my MP3 for listening in the future.
Undead/Queen Betsy Series by MaryJanice Davidson. I have book 1 in my Kindle Library.

And here is a link to a long list of others found at Amazon and a link found at Goodreads

Image found at funnytogo.com

Q2. My question: It's Summer! If you had a choice would you a) sit on the beach b) parasail c) go on a boat to fish - or just for pleasure, d) go surfing OR e) find a comfortable, cool spot to read??

A: If I was young I might parasail; I also liked to fish a bit when I was younger. But these days I would e) find a cool place to read. :-)

Doesn't this look inviting?

Image found at Walking the Cape

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. Krystal asks: Do you enjoy urban fantasy or just plain fantasy more? Any favorite fantasy authors??

2. My question: It's Summer! If you had a choice would you a) sit on the beach b) parasail c) go on a boat to fish - or just for pleasure, d) go surfing OR e) find a comfortable, cool spot to 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 8 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, July 13, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Audiobook Week Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS FROM
Audiobook Week Giveaway

#1 - MP3 Player:

FAITH HOPE CHERRYTEA

US Only
#2 - Large Audiobook Pick:

LISA - Pick a book from the Larger list and let me know.

AND
International:
#3 - Smaller Audiobook Pick:

BIRGIT - Pick a book from the International smaller audiobook list.

Faith Hope Cherrytea, Lisa and Birgit please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and let me know which of the audio books you would like me to send to you. Please reply within 72 hours!

Book Review: Thoroughly Kissed by Kristine Grayson

This is modern-day 'Sleeping Beauty' fairy tale that makes an easy and delightful read.

Thoroughly Kissed
by Kristine Grayson

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402248547
ISBN-13: 978-1402248542

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Sleeping Beauty has sworn off kissing...

Emma awakens to an entirely different world than the one she lived in a thousand years ago, and although she's the real Sleeping Beauty, her life is no fairy tale. After parting ways with her supposed Prince Charming, she's determined to be a normal girl—she hides her magic and swears off kissing strange men.

But her gorgeous boss Michael knows there 's something unusual about Emma, and he thinks she's as infuriating as she is beautiful. Now Emma needs to teach Michael a lesson, which means mastering her magic. She knows she's flirting with danger, but after one look at Michael's perfect lips, all she can think is, "What's another thousand years ... ?"

Welcome to the fractious fairy tale world of Kristine Grayson, where the bumpy road to happily ever after is paved with surprises ..
.

Review:
We met Emma in Utterly Charming when she awoke in a world that was absolutely foreign to her. Her first kiss had placed her in a thousand year sleep. She has spent the past 10 years learning a new language, getting college and doctorate degrees, and establishing her career as a historian and college professor. She has avoided any relationship tangles not only because she hasn’t had time but also because she isn’t about to risk another kiss that might spell her to sleep again.

Emma Lost (a name she adopted upon her awakening) has met her new division head, Michael Found, who happens to also be her next door neighbor and wulfstrang - a powerful and handsome man. Michael has spent the last year on sabbatical researching the history of magic and its myths. Emma may be the most beautiful woman he has ever seen but the pragmatic and proper Mr. Found believes Emma and her popular book on Medieval history to be a fraud. Then Emma’s magic goes awry in his office and he has to reconsider his beliefs about magic, history and Emma.

Emma is destined to be a mage when she reaches the age or 50 or so. By ‘life experience’ Emma is only 30 so she figured she had another 20 years or so before she would have to face magical training. Now suddenly her wishes are coming true in odd ways; her powers are upon her but clearly out of control. She has to travel from Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon to get her magical training’

She doesn’t have any friends to travel with her and it is just too risky to try to rely on her cat familiar, Darnell, to speak the reversal spells for any misguided magic. The fates aren’t going to make any exceptions or help her out. Perhaps she could ask Michael to help her since he has already seen evidence of her misguided abilities. After being manipulated into making the trip, Michael begins to fall under a different spell where Emma is concerned. As they travel along long barren roads they face dangers of other wizards seeking to capture Emma’s wild magic. Can they make it safely to Oregon? And if they do, even if Michael can convince Emma to risk a kiss, how will they manage a relationship between a mortal man and a practically immortal mage?

Kristine Grayson writes characters who are charmingly independent, stubborn and yet vulnerable. Even the cat, Darnell, has a most cat-like combination of independence and dependence. The plot is a bit zany but all fun. The writing is easy and light. There is sweet, sensual attraction with no need for sexual intimacy. This is just a fun, sweet romance that I found delightful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emma’s insecurities:

“Darnell’s the only person–if you want to call him that–who ever wanted to be with me more than he wanted to be with anyone else.” Location 2575

Michael’s dilemma:

–why would a beautiful magical creature want to be with a stodgy professor?–she would at least know that he cared. Location 2582.

I selected the ebook through NetGalley to review for Sourcebooks

This is set in Madison, Wisconsin for my Where Are You Reading Challenge.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick July 6, 2012

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

Thank you to all who have shared your well wishes and prayers. My Dad passed away on Tuesday. I am glad that all of our family got to share our love with him and that he didn't suffer long. We have God's peace and assurance and we are comforting one another knowing Dad lived a good life for 88 years.

Thank you to all who entered June 29 Pick. There were TWO 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 were also two blocked picks.

Louisa chose Gentle From the Night
and
Lieder chose Category 7

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from June 29 Pick:

Carol M chose Edwin of the Iron Shoes
and

Fi-Chan gets a GC

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.

Who else thinks that summer book choices
are as numerous as these sunbathers?
Image found at More Intelligent Life

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

The Promise by Kasey Michaels

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown

Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard

Death's Door by Meryl Sawyer

Life Support by Tess Gerristen Audio Cassettes

Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

Exit to Eden by Anne Rice

While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

*Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Mueller

*Covert Pursuit by Terri Reed

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Game Over by Fern Michaels

~~Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock~~

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

~~Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)~~

~~In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott~~

~~Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis~~

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

~~Cross Country by James Patterson~~

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

~~Dear John by Nicholas Sparks~~

~~Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon~~

September Morning by Diana Palmer

~~Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)~~

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
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.

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

~~Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson~~

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

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

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

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.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

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

Primary Colors - audio tapes

~~Note of Peril (black strip on cover)~~

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone)

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

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 381 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

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

Pick #4