Sharing Beyond Books #57 Comment Giveaway

Welcome to another SBB!

My week was busy but good. Today was HOT! I got to swim early and then spent the day in AC in the office. I hope you all stayed cool enough (or warm enough for those on the other side.)
Thank you to all who shared last week.

I was surprised that quite a number of commenters do not read Urban Fantasy or Fantasy. A couple of you would like to try it - check out the list and links posted last week. Watch the heat level as some tend to be spicier than others. Carol and Natasha both mentioned Karen Marie Moning and I have read one of her Highlander series but not the Fever series. Ricki mentioned two authors I had not heard of but will look into: Mark del Franco and Kat Richardson.

Oh - we are such a pack of readers! Most of us choose to find a cool place to read. About four would read at the beach and several would like to para-sail. The true individualists? Krystal choose surfing and scottsgal goes boating as first choice.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #56 comments is: #3 bermudaonion.  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. bermudaonion 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 #57 Questions

Q1. Mary P asks: Do you have a system for storing your books??

A: I do have somewhat of a system. Well, I used to. I have my fav authors' alphabetically on the bookshelf, some in boxes when there are many. Then there are more boxes upstairs. And three or so boxes by years: older than 2005, 2005-2007 and 2007 up.  Also another few boxes by genres. All in all WAY to many!! And that doesn't even begin to consider the 1700 books on Kindle and the 700 or so on Audible. Sigh!

IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO SHARE A PHOTO OF YOUR SHELVES I WILL SET UP A POST FOR THEM NEXT WEEK. JUST EMAIL THEM TO ME! mesreads AT gmail.com

This is my primary shelf pic from 2009.

It has been updated since so there are about five boxed authors along the shelves.

Image found at MBS Post 8/6/2009 where you can see more shelves and boxes. :-)

 

Q2. My question: What is your favorite dance a) to dance b) to watch??

A:  My DH and I were great jitterbuggers (form of swing) back in the day. We embarrassed our kids when they were 9 and 10 and we danced on a cruise we took them on. :-) However, our son did take up swing dancing when he got to be 18. It is good exercise too!
I do enjoy watching good swing and a nice waltz.

Image found at Buzzle.com (Jitterbug Dance steps)
Here is a short YouTube example of the basic jitterbug we would dance.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ322w2XwIs&feature=fvwrel
We might do a few more energetic steps but not the high lifts. 

 

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. Mary P asks: Do you have a system for storing your books????
 
2. My question: What is your favorite dance a) to dance b) to watch??

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 20, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Improper Miss Sophie and Flabbergasted

Congratulations to

Winners of

Giveaways Ended July 13, 2012

Giveaway ARC copy of The Most Improper Sophie Valentine

BookAttict

AND

Giveaway Review Copy of Flabbergasted

mamabunny13

BookAttict and mamabunny13 please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the books.  Please reply within 72 hours!  
Thank you to all who entered

Audible Book Review: Timeless: The Parasol Protectorate, The Fifth

This has been a great listening series. If you like humor, Victorian settings and paranormal characters, I  highly recommend you try this fun series!
 

Timeless: The Parasol Protectorate, the Fifth

• UNABRIDGED
• by Gail Carriger
• Narrated by Emily Gray

Series: Parasol Protectorate, Book 5

Genre: Steampunk, Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

    
Publisher's Summary

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

Review:
Alexia, the strong minded protagonist, is coping with her ‘interesting’ life. She lives with her werewolf husband, Conall Maccon, the Alpha of the Woolsey pack.  The pair actually reside secretly next door to the pack home.  They live with a flamboyant vampire, Lord Akeldama, who is the adoptive father of Alexia and Conall’s child, Prudence.  This was a compromise to prevent the local (or previously local) vampire Hive from killing the child whom they perceive as a soul sucker.

Prudence does have unusual capabilities that only Alexia can help to control.  When Alexia, a preternatural, touches an immortal supernatural being, such as a werewolf or a vampire, they become only human.  When Prudence, a metanatural, touches them she exchanges form with them usually creating a bit of trouble, if not chaos.

Alexia receives a summons first to visit Countess Nadasdy, the leader of the former London Hive, now living in the country. The Countess delivers an even more important invitation that requests that Alexia and Prudence visit the Queen of the Alexandria Hive, the oldest Vampire. The request cannot be ignored even though it causes trepidation for everyone as they must travel to Egypt which is the known source of the God-Breaker Plague, a plague that steals the supernatural powers of the immortal beings. Soon the family is off on another harrowing, and humorous adventure.

I love the wonderfully distinct characters in this series. There is strength and humor in each. Alexia tries to be prim and proper which is hard for one so adventurous and forthright. Conall is droll and serious as his Scottish background and Alpha duties require of him. Akeldama, a gay Vampire, is completely flamboyant yet everything proper in London society. I love how Akeldama has pet names for Alexia and Prudence... like Buttercup or Daffodil.  Then there is Alexia’s faithful, lifelong servant, Floote.  He was with Alexia’s father when they were in Eqypt and has been Alexia’s protector since she was a child.  He is the quintessentially efficient butler or manservant, yet he has secrets from the times in Egypt that he will not reveal.

There are others too: Madame LeFoux, a member of the secretive Order of Brass Octopus, who (unlike Alexia) is always dressed impeccably--- or would be if she were a man. Biffy, a former Akeldama drone who is struggling to acclimate himself as a fairly new member of the Werewolf pack. Not to mention Ivy Tunstell, Alexia’s actress friend. All of these characters have been developed through the series and add wonderful color to each tale in varying degrees.

Although this book started a bit slowly for me, once it settled into the new adventure I didn’t want to put it down. This is Book 5 and it rounds out the the Parasol Protectorate series, wrapping together some loose ends and mysteries. However, looking at the author’s website reassures me that there will be future books involving Prudence, Alexia’s unusual progeny!

I have listened to all five books in this series and enjoyed them very much. The narrator does a wonderful job conveying the accents and personalities for each character. This allows the nuances of distaste, humor, fear and other emotions to flow through the reading.

This series is a mixture of Victorian, steampunk, adventure, romance and humor. It is just plain fun listening!

This book is from my own Audible Library.

If I were including countries on My Where Are You Reading Challenge this would fit in England and Egypt. I will include this with my Audio Challenge list.
{Watch for a Giveaway from this series soon to be posted in my July-August Blogoversary!}

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 13, 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 again for all of the condolences. I am sharing my compassion and prayers now with several others at my church who are going through similar situations with elderly parents. We must cherish our loved ones while we may.

Thank you to all who entered July 6 Pick.  There were No Automatic winners this week!!:-( (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
There were also three blocked titles but one of those was won.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from July 6 Pick:

Natahsa chose Plum Lovin'
and

Di chose September Morning

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.

Ah- floating on the river with a good book - 

That's the life!Image found at New River Library Coop

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 383 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

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7

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

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

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)

Book Review and Giveaway: The Proposal and Solid Soul by Brenda Jackson

Two 'solid' and engaging romances in one package!

Solid Soul
by Brenda Jackson

• File Size: 547 KB
• Print Length: 414 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 037383764X
• Publisher: Harlequin Desire; Reprint edition (June 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XDXETY

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 (both books)

The Proposal
Book DescriptionPublication Date: May 24, 2011 | Series: Westmorelands
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson brings you the story of Jason Westmoreland. With one convenient proposal, he could have a Southern beauty in his bed and her birthright in his hands. If only the lovely lady would say yes….

Plus a Brenda Jackson classic—the first in the Steele family series, Solid Soul. (See below)

Review of The Proposal:
Bella Bostwick is a Southern beauty who has been sheltered by her wealthy, society parents. They have a plan for her to marry a man from their “set” and they are very unhappy when she decides to move to the Denver ranch that her grandfather left her.  Bella has had to put up with her controlling parents for years. Now she is even more angry with them since she discovered that she had a grandfather whom she was never allowed to know. And she is not about to sell out the land or the prize stallion that her uncle and others are trying to get.

Unlike her Uncle who turned his back on her when she wouldn’t sell out, Jason Westmoreland has made a fair offer for the land and horse but has been gracious to offer her help as well.  Bella plans to use her trust fund monies to cover expenses until she can manage the ranch. Her parents block her efforts when they discover a clause that requires her to marry by a fast approaching deadline or lose the funds.

Jason proposes marriage as a solution. She’ll get to keep her trust fund, he’ll help her with the ranch and he’ll get the stallion.  After a year they can part if she wants. That’s not to say it won’t be a real marriage...after all he has wanted the beautiful lady since he first saw her. Now he has to learn how to woe her to accept his proposal because the more he is around her the more he realizes that his intentions are serious and not just for the short term.  When the time comes how will he convince her that he wants her and not just a business deal?

I received two Brenda Jackson books (three stories in all) for Harlequin survey. I am glad to “meet” Brenda Jackson as I can share that she is clearly a talented romance author. She creates likeable characters, plots interesting dilemmas and conflicts, and builds good tension.  Although The Proposal isn’t based on a new theme, Ms. Jackson’s story is handled well with warmth and integrity. There is plenty of sensual tension in this one and just a bit of steamy intimacy. The writing flows well and all in all this is a nicely engaging romance.

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

Bella’s early awareness of attraction to Jason:

Every cell in her body started to quiver under the intensity of his gaze. 22.

A kiss:

He lowered his head and kissed her, letting his tongue tangle with hers, reaquainting himself with the taste of her, a taste he had not forgotten and had so desperately craved since the last time. He kissed her deeply, not allowing any part of her mouth to go untouched. Page 130.

Solid Soul

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2009

In the real world there was no way flower shop owner Kylie Hagan would ever meet up with millionaire Chance Steele. But the world of single parents and teenage hormones brought them together the first time--and a simmering passion they both tried to deny wouldn't keep them apart for long.

Chance made her think of hot, sultry Southern nights. Kylie had him imagining satin sheets and soul-stirring kisses. But in the cold light of day, they had to resist each other. There was no way they'd let uncontrollable desire ignite their carefully protected hearts.

But some things they couldn't ignore....

Review of Solid Soul:

Kylie Hagan is a beautiful, single mom with a 15 year old daughter, Tiffany. Since Kylie got pregnant and abandoned at 16 she is determined to protect her daughter from repeating her mistakes and experiencing the same shame. Kylie has wrapped her heart and world around her daughter and sheltered herself by staying away from men all together.

Chance Steele is a handsome, wealthy businessman. He has been widowed for seven years and set to raise his 16 year old son, Marcus, to have the advantages of college rather than marrying young, like Chance did.  

Kylie almost never dates and Chance hasn’t dated much either.  The teens decide that their parents need to get a life other than watching over them so they cook up a plan.  The kids pretend to be head over heals to bring their parents together to figure out how to control them.  The stage for conflict is set with Kylie and Chance drawn by attraction but reluctant to move into a relationship.

The plot is a cute premise and the characters, adult and teen, are likeable: sweet, strong, and  honorable. Ms. Jackson uses sensual images to build lots of warm desire into intense passion. The romance is sweet and the lovemaking plenty spicy.

The writing is smooth and engaging. Chance has brothers and cousins and Kylie has a good friend. I bet the stories of these other interesting characters would be good reading too.  If you like a strong romance story I suggest you try a  Brenda Jackson book!

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

Some conflicting scenes:

His conscience gave him a hard kick. He shouldn’t be standing in the middle of her kitchen ogling her this way. The truth of the matter was that he couldn’t help it. Page 260 (67 into this story.)

She was fighting the chemistry between them. He knew that just as sure as he knew it was a fight she wouldn’t win. But he would let her try up to a certain point. He’d give her until the end of the week and if he didn’t hear from her by then, he would take some necessary action. Page 275 (82 in this story.)

This book was received from Harlequin.

These stories are set in Denver, Colorado and Charlotte, North Carolina for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add this to my New Author challenge list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the Review Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 20, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 21.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.