Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 20, 2012

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

Whew! I have had a busy week. I almost missed posting my Blogoversary on the anniversary day. :-) For all of you faithful Friday Pick participants keep an eye out the next two weeks for some more book Giveaways, including a Flash Giveaway, while I continue to celebrate!

Thank you to all who entered July 13 Pick.  There were FOUR Automatic winners this week!!:-) YAY! (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 titles.
mamabunny13 picked Snow in April
Elizabeth picked Summer's Belle
Anita picked The Heart of Justice 
and
Maria picked The Blue Zone

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from July 13 Pick:

Birgit gets a GC
and

Vidisha chose The Sixth Sense

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.

Now this looks like a beautiful spot!
At the beach but in the shade and, of course, with a book!

Image found at Krabi-Beach-Lover.com

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

 

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 388 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)

MBS Blogoversary -- Celebrating Three Years!

Well - I guess you can say I have been super busy since I am even late for my own BLOGOVERSARY PARTY! YIKES! It doesn't really seem like three years but it is... with lots of reviews, giveaways and interviews shared. :-)  And more to come of course!

I didn't get the chance this year to line up sponsors but I have a big Grand Prize to share in celebration.
Because I love reading and I love my e-reader (a Kindle) plus I have Nook on my Tablet, and I want to share the love of ebooks with my blogger followers, I am giving away ....:

A NOOK Simple Touch With GlowLight

Now - some people may already have a reader or a tablet, so I am offering a $50.00 Gift Card as an alternative -- winner's choice.

Also-  I haven't checked the postage cost for various countries, but as long as the postage is under $50.00 I will send the Nook worldwide!

Keep a watch out because I will be posting some other book prizes over the next two weeks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE - winner will be announced a day or two after the close of the contest and the post will include the Winners Form link to claim the prizes.

Book Review and Kindle Giveaway Link: Exodus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 7)

This is brightly entertaining as the chosen get to climb shimmering steps to cross through a rainbow arch away from the dark evil.

Exodus (The Samsara Chronicles Book 7)
by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley

• File Size: 141 KB
• Print Length: 66 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: eXtasy Books (May 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0086FRWJI

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

 with Kindle Giveaway link

Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012

Sheltered at the Emerald lake beyond the reach of the dark forces, Aislinn and Dylan transition into their roles as the celestial portal opens.

Besieged by the Eletarii, humanity struggles in its final hour. Legions assemble by the lake where they descend into the basest depravity wait while Aislinn and Dylan prepare to open the gate at midnight, a portal through which only a chosen few will pass.

Review:

Reading these books one at a time, about one a week made me think of a weekly TV serial. This week's story compares well to a Buck Rogers' episode with twisted evil aliens and corrupted humans chasing after the robed and beautiful, beings symbolizing good.

Aislinn is brought the final talisman be an eagle and opens the celestial portal. She and Dylan stand and watch the transformation as a rainbow sphere forms a glittering bridge and the mountain opens to a crystal chamber. A shimmering stairway leads up to an arch where Aislinn and Dylan will welcome the chosen ones who will pass through the portal to safety. The masses of people straining to enter are greeted by a majestic, god-like figure, Altithronous.

As the chosen joyously travel the stairs to pass through the arch, the damned flail and trample each other trying desperately to reach the stairs. Some tumble on the burning shores while others fall into the now churning lake, creating a “floating armada of skeletons.”

Aislinn and Dylan are the last to pass through the gates and move into the mystical, beautiful realm of Nirvana.  In the midst of joy, and as they recover their memories of their lives before earth, they learn that Aislinn’s royal parents have been betrayed and kidnapped. Aislinn and Dylan, more than mortals now, will be tasked with the mission to save her parents.

A lot of what is happening, the plan to re-inhabit the earth after the elementals are finally conquered, and the roles they have to play, are explained by narrative. Although this is more “telling” than showing, it is done with enough intensity and creativity that it works all right in the story. The new world they have entered  really has a rather fantastical feel to it.  I am ready for Aislinn and Dylan to face more dangers in the next adventure.

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

Quotes:
Aislinn just before opening the portal:

"Everything humanity has experienced has led to this moment, to these objects I hold in my hand. Location 222.

Explaining why the goodness of the Nirvana ancestors on earth had been lost to corruption:

“The potential for enlightenment is always there,” Altithronus said. “It is only when one no longer listens to the heart, to the wisdom of the ages, that darkness sets in.” Location 502.

Aislinn commenting on their next mission:

“But our past on this world will become our future. We’ll face all the tasks before us, no matter how daunting.”  Location 772.

I received this eBook from the authors as part of a Pump Up Your Book Tour.

~ ~ ~ KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and The Samsara Chronicles are teaming up to give you a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Here’s how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.  If your blog isn’t set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries.
This Kindle Fire promotion will run from June 1 – August 31. Winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on September 1, 2012.
Each blogger who participates in The Samsara Chronicles virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win.
Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.
If you would like to participate, email Dorothy at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Last day to sign up is July 27. What a great way to not only win this fabulous prize, but to gain followers and comments too! Good luck everyone!

Click on the graphic below to find out how you can win!

[If the picture link doesn't work, go to this page].

~ ~ ~WIN $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE ~ ~ ~

One lucky person who comments the most on The Samsara Chronicles’ blog stops will receive a $50 gift certificate. The blog host who receives the most comments through the tour will also receive a $50 gift certificate!

Book Review: Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch

This is a fine fantasy romance: a damsel in distress, an evil enemy, a knight to the rescue, a bit of magic and conflicted, sweet love.

Queen in Exile
by Donna Hatch

File Size: 472 KB
Print Length: 373 pages
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press (January 1, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B004WF4Q3G
Genre:  Fantasy Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2011

Rumors of War hang over Princess Jeniah's peaceful country of Arden, a land that shuns both magic and warfare. Following a lifelong dream, Jeniah forms a telepahtic bond with a revered creature called a chayim, who is prophesied to save her kingdom. But when a Darborian knight comes upon Jeniah with her chayim, he sees only a vicious monster about to devour a maiden, and he slays the beast.

Devastated by the loss of her chayim, and fearing that her own magic is evil, Jeniah doubts her destiny. When an enemy invades Arden City, they slaughter the people, storm the castle, and execute the entire royal family except the princess. Rescued by the knight who slew her chayim, Jeniah is now heir to the throne of Arden and the only hope for freeing her people from tyranny.

On the run and hunted by enemy soldiers, Jeniah must place her life and the fate of her kingdom in the hands of this trained killer. Torn between embracing her destiny as queen af Arden, and her love for a mere knight, she must ultimately rely on her magic to save herself and her people from death and tyranny.

Review:
Jeniah is the beautiful, almost ethereal, princess of Arden, a country that embraces peace. Although magic is shunned in her land, Jeniah has a hidden talent of ‘blending’ with her landscape. She is frightened by her own skills until one day she comes upon a chayim in the woods. This is a sacred creature and bonding with one is meant to be powerful and good magic. Just as Jeniah begins the bonding a dark knight swoops in and slays the mystical being.

After years without war the Arden army is limited and defenses are weak.  Now the kingdom must prepare for war. The King brings in a famous Sauraii warrior, Kai, from another realm to train his men. Kai is a fierce warrior and a man of honor. Kai may be fearless in battle but he has suffered the lose of love in the past so he fears loving and losing again.  He is sorry that he did not know the chayim was a good creature and he is sorry he frightened the young woman and brought sadness to her.

Treachery brings an early attack on the castle and many, including the royal family, are slaughtered. Kai feels he has failed to protect the kingdom but he battles his way to Jeniah and gets her out.  Jeniah holds up through the hardships of loss and harsh travel to Kai’s homeland where she can regroup before returning to free her people. Before her plans are put into effect she is kidnaped and dragged back to Arden to face the enemy.

Can Kai rescue Jeniah before she is sacrificed by the evil king?  Can Jeniah reach her power through the chayim to help herself and her people? Can they trust a new ally to help defeat the enemy army?  Enjoy the book to discover these answers.

The writing is fluid and the story has good action and pacing. The hero and heroine are strong characters who have duties and issues that create conflicts to overcome. The attraction and romance between them is conflicted and sweetly magical in its persistence. The Chayim is an interesting creature that enhances the magical aspect of the story.  Donna Hatch has written a creative tale of excitement with danger, repressed love and magical elements. It is engaging reading and I will look for more of her work.

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

A Chayim's description of Jeniah:

Though this female was small, she had great power, great potential. She possessed duty, courage, and valor uncommon to humans. Location 1888.

Kai's recognition of Jeniah's power:

Somehow, she had touched the broken pieces of his heart and made them feel again.
He could not slay these demons. Location 2342.

I received this book for review for the publisher, Walnut Springs Press.

The book will be added to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.

MBS No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop July 17 - 22, 2012

WELCOME TO MBS NO STRINGS ATTACHED GIVEAWAY HOP!
This hop was organized by the fabulous Kathy at I Am A Reader Not A Write.
The hop runs from July 17th through July 22nd.

This hop is for all the people who hate jumping through hoops to enter giveaways.
Most of my giveaways have some type of entry requirement. This one is an easy peasy entry!
The only requirement to enter is to leave your name and a way to contact you if you win. No extras so all entries are equal!

Once again I see this giveaway as a THANK YOU to all of you who visit and support my blog and the publishers and authors who share their books through my reviews.  Thanks for visiting!!

My Giveaway is for ANYONE who can get books from Amazon, Indie Presses, OR Book Depository. OR if Book Depository doesn't ship to you then I will do a PayPal or other gift card for that winner.  So hopefully this really does include EVERYONE.

Funny thing I seemed to still want some control even though there are no hoops. I am exercising that control through Giveaway Package #2. :-)  (Does this make me a control freak??)

There will be two winners: 
#1 $15.00 towards books at The Book Depository or Books from a vendor of the winner's choice.

#2 Winner may choose any book of their choice from my 2012 reading list (107 books listed to date). Value not to exceed $20.00. (This is to recognize support for the publishers and authors who contribute to MBS reading.) Choice to be made upon announcement of winner.

Since books can be ordered from Book Depository with no shipping, the same rule applies at Amazon, B&N or other vendors so the winner must plan the choice(s) to include shipping. The books can be any format: ebook, hardback, paperback or even audio for a total value of #1 $15.00 or #2 $20.00.

EASY ENTRY! JUST ENTER USING THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!
Giveaway ends Midnight Eastern on July 22.  Winners to be chosen through the Rafflecopter system.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out more great giveaways at these blogs!