Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 14, 2012

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

Hi everyone!  It is another Friday and I am out of town again to South Florida for a family weekend. I hope everyone is doing well as the year is flying by!

Thank you to all who entered the September 7 Pick.  There were no 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).  Several books were blocked again this week..

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from September 7 Pick:

marybelle gets GC
and

Anubha chose On Thin Ice

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 is the another "Book" spot in Ketchikan, Alaska

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

In the Presence of Enemies by William J. Coughlin
Shattered by Dick Francis
Shadow Fires by Dean Koontz
Hard News by Jeffrey Deavers
Palindrome by Stuart Woods (spine creases)
Afterimage by Jay Brandon
Tall, Dark and Cajun by Sandra Hill
Hot Streak by Susan Johnson
When Lightning Strikes Twice by Barbara Boswell
Ice Blue by Anne Stuart
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
Thunder Creek by Jill Gregory
His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls
The Body They May Kill by Stallsmith
Beautiful Dreamer by Elizabeth Lowell
Summer Light by Luanne Rice

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottline

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)

Threads of Destiny by Arnette Lamb

A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts (some spine wear)

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Wolf Mountain Moon by Terry C. Johnston

Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham

Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

Virtue by Jane Feather

Don't Bargain with The Devil by Sabrina Jeffries

Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes

*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

*The Contrary Corinthian by Emily Hendrickson (spine wear)

*There Was a Little Boy by Claire Rainwater Jacobs

*On Thin Ice by Linda Hall

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).

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 408 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: Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

This is a quick, light and fun read.
Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey)

by Julie Kagawa

• File Size: 213 KB
• Print Length: 51 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Teen (June 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XDYXN0

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

A Midsummer's Nightmare?

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

An ebook exclusive novella from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

Review:
As most of us know, Robin Goodfellow, aka Puck and a few other aliases, is a faery trickster. He is clever and can almost always be found in mischief. Robin is a member of the Summer Court but tends to roam as a free spirit.

Ash, Prince of the Winter Court, is an enemy of the Summer Court but he and Robin are old and odd friends. They have reason to kill each other and, in fact, Ash has sworn to kill Robin...someday, but not today. Ash happened to win the heart of the girl that Robin had his sights on so Robin isn't too happy with Ash.

Robin agrees to help Ash recover a stolen object to fulfill a favor. Of course the adventure will be filled with danger. There is also the distinct chance that Robin could betray Ash.

Reading this novella reminded me why I enjoyed the first book in the Iron Fey series.  There is intrigue, danger, friendship and betrayal that make the story interesting. The writing is full of faery magic and for the most part reads smoothly.  I have only read the first book and I will probably have to skim that for review when I get ready to pick up the next in the series. If you haven’t started the series you could read this short novella to get just a little taste of the magic that is available. You might not know all of the history between the characters but there is enough given to make the conflict understandable. And you could enjoy the quick fantasy vanishing act that Robin arranges.

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

An example of the sometimes snarky humor:

She looked like she was going to a party where the theme was Most Sparkly Evening Gown, or maybe Quickest Way to Blind Someone. Location 71.

This was in  my "free" Kindle Library and picked for my "summer" read.

Audio Book Review: Steel Whispers by Hayden Trenholm

I found this to be suspenseful with social issues and an underlying force that is grievous.

Steel Whispers
by Hayden Trenholm
Narrator:     Mark F. Smith
Publisher:     Bundoran Press
Proof-listener:     Elizabeth Medeiros
Length:     11:26:55
File Size:     ~ 656 MB
Genre: Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Description:
Steel Whispers is Book 2 of the Steele Chronicles.

Four dead Borg and counting. Serial killer, gang violence or civil war? While the Special Detection Unit hunts for answers, a terrified family searchs for their Disappeared daughter, and war between society's elites takes an even nastier turn. Borg and genetic technology is evolving exponentially and Frank Steele finds himself up against unfathomable enemies.

Franks needs to find the key that ties it all together. He's sworn to protect every citizen. It's his duty as a cop. But now it's gotten personal and Frank has to face the ultimate test - investigating the death of his own son.

Review:
This suspense mystery is set in Calgary in 2044 as society struggles from nuclear war and bio-technical changes. Advanced technology has resulted in a new ‘race’ known as “Borg.” Borg are those who have taken on artificial enchantments to the body - eyes, arms and other parts.  Some see this as appropriate and legitimate, like other life extending measures.  But others see these modifications as an abomination of natural creation.

Now there appears to be a serial killer targeting Borgs. Some might cheer this but police  Superintendent Frank Steele views it as a crime to be solved, no matter who the victims are or who the killer is. Even when the crime hits close to home as his own son is the latest victim.

The special task force discusses the possible perpetrators. It could be Borg on Borg violence, which is unexpected since the Borg tend to work harmoniously as connected units. Perhaps it is the ‘Clean Boys’, a purist supremacist group associated with The New United Party who are known for attacking Borgs.

Frank Steele is a hardened cop. He accidentally killed his own partner then lost himself in the bottle. By the time he pulled out of the dive he had lost his family and now the only life he knows is as a cop.  Frank looks to one of his good friends for help in the Borg murders.  Buzz Wannamaker was the city’s first Borg Detective and although he has retired from the force he is still active in a private detective agency.

Frank, Buzz and other associates meet with unusual leaders who could be involved or have information that will help the investigations. While they investigate the Borg killings part of the team investigates sabotage of water sources by possible Russian enemies. There are unclear alliances in the office as different officers report to Frank’s boss or share information with each other but not with Frank.

The story was a little difficult to follow as there were so many characters and it wasn’t always clear whose side they were on. But this became acceptable as it created twisted lines in the investigations that underscored the hidden problem.  There are larger forces at play in a political game that may result in a stalemated battle with criminals going free for political reasons.

Frank Steele’s stoic personality grew on me and I really liked Buzz’s Borg character. I enjoyed the racial complexities involved with the Borg society and of course the Borg characters with enhanced abilities made for intense, if brutal, action.

The story is told by Frank in first person. When I first started listening I felt that the narration was dry and unemotional. It took several chapters to get into the flow of the story at which point I determined that the dryness may have been fully intentional to convey the unemotional nature of Steele’s personality. The story, and characters, are complex and resulted in a very suspenseful story.  If you like complex mysteries with intense action you should try this audio. I will definitely be getting the first book to read or listen to.

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

Opening lines:

I deal with death everyday. That’s my job. I’ve learned not to let it touch me. You can’t function as a cop if you do.

Wry humor - an associate addresses Frank Steele:

“Let’s be Frank.”

A statement I really liked:

But words are like bullets.  Once fired, they can’t be put back in the gun.

Thank you to Iambik for providing the audioBook download through Audiobook Jukebox

I will add this to my New Author, ARC and Audio Challenge lists.

Book Review with Giveaway Link: Dangerous Shift by Jill James

This is a good suspense with a twist on shapeshifting.
Dangerous Shift
By Jill James

• File Size: 294 KB
• Print Length: 254 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008RDPN72

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 31, 2012
HE IS MR. BY-THE-BOOK, WITH A SECRET...
Shapeshifters live among us but remain unknown to most people except for the highest echelons of law enforcement, the military, science, and medical fields--until now.

SHE IS A LOOSE CANNON WITH AN ATTITUDE...
When a fatal virus strikes Shapeshifters all over the West coast, including members of the Shapeshifter Task Force in San Laura, California, reinforcements are called in from around the United States.

TOGETHER, THEY JUST MIGHT CATCH A KILLER.
Lt. Nikki Hill of Missouri comes to San Laura and is partnered up with Lt. Sean Evans. They quickly butt heads on everything from proper police procedures to the moral ethics of euthanasia. They can't seem to get a lead on the serial killer even as members of their own families are stricken with the virus. In their grief they turn to each other and hope they have time to discover if their relationship stands a chance or if they might just be the next victims of the species extinction disease.

Review:
There is a race of shapeshifters in the world that is little known to ‘normal’ humans. These shifters generally have male and female shifter personalities, with one being their dominant shape.  They have the ability to shift features, hair color, size and even to imitate other humans. Although there are latent animal traits they do not consciously shift to animal forms.

Lt. Sean Evans is a strong male cop; organized and by the book. He only uses his female side occasionally if needed for undercover work. His unit is suffering losses.  A vicious virus has killed his partner’s mate and his partner, Rodriguez is missing and it is feared he has been kidnapped by the serial killer. The virus speeds up the metabolism of the shifters causing continual shifting that wastes the body in painful contortions. Clearly shifters are the targets and so far the scientists have not been able to locate a cure.

Lt. Nikki Hill is brought in from the midwest to help the investigation team that is trying to find and stop the virus and whoever is using it.  Nikki is quick on her feet with an attitude that has allowed her to be strong and successful in her career.

Sean and Nikki have a bit of an antagonistic meeting but soon things heat up between them personally.  Surprisingly, they work well as a team, with their strengths of organization and deductive thinking balancing well together. But they are soon at odds again when Nikki learns details about Sean’s family that he didn’t warn her about. They also have differing opinions on euthanasia being used to stop the suffering of the infected shifters. Nikki is appalled by the idea until she is faced with the issue in a personal situation.

The villain is wonderfully psychotic and twisted. It is sad that the villain has forced and wrapped others into the scheme to eliminate the shifter race. The virus strikes close to home and Sean and Nikki find themselves in a race to trace the few clues to the killer before they become the next victims.

There are plenty of plot twists and action that kept this a good suspenseful read. There were a few scenes I questioned in my mind but they weren't enough to detract from the enjoyment. There are also several pretty spicy romance scenes. The characters are well developed with distinct personalities that lead to conflict and passion. I enjoyed the arguments Ms. James presents on the society biases and prejudices as well as discussion of the mercy killing for the virus ravaged shifters. The writing flows well with good pacing that makes the book move fairly quickly.

If you enjoy romantic suspense and paranormal you should try this book. Even if you don’t normally read paranormal, if you are a strong romantic suspense reader I still recommend you try this as it has a lot to offer in suspense, conflict, romance and societal issues.

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

Sean responds to Nikki’s attitude about ‘normal’ humans.

“If we call them norms, what does that make us? Abnormal? Most of the trouble in the world is from placing labels on each other.”  Location 256.

Nikki realizing that perhaps she could love Sean.

Love and happiness didn’t happen every day. Sometimes you missed what was right in front of you because you grew too busy rushing around trying to find it, and all the time it was there.  Location 3176.

Thank you to the author for providing the eBook to review through Bewitching Book Tours.  Giveaway of Two Print copies and $25.00 Gift Card at this link.

This book will be added to my ARC and New Author Challenge lists.

ISBN: 9781476499673

ASIN: B008RDPN72

Number of pages: 222

Word Count: 76,000

Cover Artist: Elaina Lee, For The Muse Designs

Amazon   Barnes & Noble    Smashwords   All Romance eBooks

Author Bio:

Jill James didn’t start out wanting to be an author. Along the way she wanted to be an astronaut, President of the United States, a lawyer, and a doctor. Once married with children she realized she could be all those things in the pages of the stories she wrote.

She lives in Northern California with her husband, who is the inspiration for all her romance novel heroes.

http://www.jilljameswrites.com

http://www.twitter.com/jill_james

http://www.facebook.com/Jill.James.author

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4654661.Jill_James

EXCERPT:

Prologue

Fort San Laura Army Base

San Laura, California

May 2017

Sean Evans turned away as tears rolled down his ex-partner Colin Rodriguez’s face. The man sat by his fiancée’s bedside, her hand clasped in his, waiting for her to die. The sound of boot heels echoed up and down the hospital corridor. All marched past the closed door, none brave enough to stop at this room.

Sean stared at the dying woman. Paulette’s red hair was the only color in the monochrome-toned hospital room. Colin’s hand shook as he brushed the hair back from Paulette’s sweaty face. The virus wreaked havoc on the young woman.

Sean swallowed bile rising in his throat as the young Shapeshifter in the bed screamed. Her flesh boiled, roiling beneath the surface, and she screamed again. Her back arched off the bed. For months now, the Shapeshifter Task Force had been working to track down the cause of the virus and it struck close to home, killing two of their own. First, his own partner, Barry, and now, Paulette.

Her fingers turned into talons that dug into Colin’s hand. Blood dripped from the cuts onto the crisp, white sheet. Colin held her hand; the only sign of his pain was the grimace on his tanned face.

Sean rubbed his burning eyes, surprised to find tears on his own cheeks. He scrubbed the wetness away and raked his fingers through his hair. His tears wouldn’t help Paulette or Colin. Nothing could help them now. His hands clenched into fists at his side. He ached to punch a wall, anything to kill the tension in the room.

A scream built in his throat. Just last week he had sat here, forced to watch the young man, new to the task force, breathe his last. He stared into the ceiling lights, his eyes watered with the brightness. He repeated his personal mantra of calm and cool until his emotions mellowed, until they no longer threatened to overwhelm him.

He turned his head back as Paulette’s screams died down to whimpers. She had lost all control of her shifting. She grew fur and it disappeared. Her head changed shape as she shifted into a canine form, then a feline form, then back to her own. Her limbs flopped against the mattress as she convulsed. The shifting now happened every few seconds.

Colin threw himself across her body as if he could stop the tragedy from its conclusion.

“Noooo.” His voice ricocheted across the room and down the hall.

Sean rushed to his best friend’s side and ripped him up off of the dying Shifter. No one had discovered yet how the virus was transmitted. They didn’t need masks and gloves anymore, not in the last several months at least, but no one wanted to find out what full-body contact might do.

Colin struggled against Sean’s hold. Tears blurred Sean’s vision as Paulette struggled to breathe, and Colin’s cries became anguished sobs. His shoulders shook under Sean’s hands.

The monitor blared as Sean searched Paulette for any life signs and found none. Her chest didn’t move. She was gone. Just like Barry. Just like all the other Shifters in the past few months.

Sean turned away as Paulette’s flesh jellified and sank into the mattress, only a slight bump under the covers to show a living being had been there.

Colin’s anguish pierced his soul, and when Colin threw himself across the bed again.  Sean didn’t bother to stop him.  What did it matter when his friend had just lost his partner and the love of his life?

The sounds of harsh breaths and sobs still echoed in Sean’s ears when the door opened and the Captain of the Task Force rushed in. Sean turned to the man and shook his head.

Captain Connors motioned for Sean to talk to him outside. Sean shot a quick look to Colin and followed the captain outside to the hallway.

“Lieutenant Evans, with Robertson’s death today, added to the others, the task force is low on numbers. We will need to send word to the other task forces and ask for reinforcements.”

Sean’s hands formed into fists at his side. The human captain made no bones about his dislike of Shapeshifters, but Paulette’s body wasn’t even cold yet and he drudged up business decisions.

He took deep breaths and relaxed his hands. As the Lead Lieutenant in the task force, business took priority. Even over death.

“Will you send a request to the Southwest office in Las Vegas?” Their own task force office covered the Northwest—Northern California, part of Nevada, and all of Oregon, Washington state, and Idaho.

The captain shook his head. “A few cases have been reported in Los Angeles. We can’t risk it. I’ll request someone from the Midwest. No cases have been reported yet out there. There is a small task force in Columbia, Missouri, an hour outside St. Louis.”