Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 5, 2012

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

Happy Friday in October! It is hard to think we are winding towards the end of another year. It moves so fast! --- I forgot to say- check out the newest group of books this week. :-)

Thank you to all who entered the September 28 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).  Four books were blocked and one was won. :-(

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from September 28 Pick:

Carol L chose Gifts From the Heart
and

Spav gets a Gift Credit

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. 

Have you been following Banned Book Week?

Image found at Book Box Daily

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

 Demon's Fire by Emma Holly
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
The Gift by Constance O'Day-Flannery
The Days of Summer by Jill Barnett
Tangled by Mary Balogh
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
Twice Upon Time by Nina Beaumont
Angel of Midnight  by JoAnn Power
Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Touchstone by Linda Hilton
Restless Hearts by Marta Perry
Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer
Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
A Delecate Deception by Jenna Jones


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 Audrey 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

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)

A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham

Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes

*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

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

 

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

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

*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

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

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)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

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.

*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 418 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--- (All gone)

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

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

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---(All Gone)

Q&A with Author, Debra Webb; Book Review: Power

Please help me welcome author Debra Webb and learn more about her new series, Faces of Evil!
{See Review below Author Interview.}

I really liked Power and actually want to go back to get the first two novels in the series! I am impressed with the character development and energy in the work.
Q1.  I love series and I like to this question:  When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first?

DW: Thank you so much, Martha! I wish I was such an organized planner/plotter. What I do have is an idea of the big showdown at the end and some of the points I want to hit along the way. With the Faces of Evil part of the journey is already in place. Each story will focus on a crime just a little more heinous than the last. The motive for the crime will escalate in urgency.

Q2.  Have you noted many changes in romance writing over your years of experience?

DW:  There are fewer taboos. Real life issues are explored on a much deeper level. Female characters continue to be stronger and more independent. It has been a truly interesting journey and I look forward to what’s to come!

Q3.  Can you share one of the things you found most difficult on your road to publication?

DW:  Allowing my voice to shine. There’s so much to learn when you jump into the fray of pursuing publication. You hear all these rules, all the do’s and don’t’s. Sometimes trying to color so closely inside the lines can hamper your unique voice. And fear, of course, there’s always the fear of failure which prompts striving for a more perfectly polished manuscript which can prove detrimental. Find what it is you write best. Know your genre. Know the industry. Write the book.  But remember that for every rule there is the exception. For all the do’s and don’t’s there are the did-it-anyway’s.

Q4.  In Power you touched on the topic of ‘bullies’.   Do you think that is that something you might explore more fully in another book?

DW:  I sincerely believe there’s a fine line between good old competitiveness and just being plain old mean. I don’t tolerate bullies very well. And I will be exploring the issue further in Revenge.

Q5.  If you could have a theme song for the Faces of Evil Series, what would it be? And/or do you have a dream cast for your books? 

DW:  Someone Like You by Adele!Kristen Bell would definitely be Jess!  John Cusack would be awesome as Dan!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and good writing with readers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~:

Power
by Debra Webb

Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Forever (March 26, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455527564
ISBN-13: 978-1455527564

Genre: Thriller

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: March 26, 2013

Agent Jess Harris is back in another thrilling installment of Debra Webb's Faces of Evil series.

Jess is ready to start the next chapter in her life as the new deputy chief of Birmingham's major crimes division. But with her first love, Chief of Police Dan Burnett, acting as her new boss, it looks like Jess won't be able to put the past behind her that easily.

Jess has decided to focus all of her attention on work when a celebrated ballet instructor is found dead by one of her students. Though Jess's instincts tell her otherwise, the death is ruled an accident, and the case is assigned to another division. Still, Jess can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story, and her investigation leads her into the worlds of Birmingham's gang culture and its powerful elite.
Now Jess's investigation has dug a little too deep, and there's a target painted on her own forehead. Will she be able to solve the crime before her own life is in jeopardy?

Review:
Jess Harris is a tough minded female law officer.  A former FBI profiler, she has taken on a new position as the Deputy Chief of a Special Problems Unit (SPU) in Birmingham’s police department. She faces unique difficulties. Her boss is her first love and they need to walk a fine line so she isn’t shown favoritism. Jess is also  having difficulty gaining acceptance with other Deputy Chiefs who are looking for her to earn respect in their ranks. But Jess isn’t there to seek protection from Dan nor to make friends. Her goal is to solve the crime, even if it means stepping on the toes of the Homicide Division.

Jess is the first on the scene of a death of a celebrated ballet instructor. The case is pulled from her and although she wants to cooperate with the division of duties this is made difficult when outside influences and witnesses keep bringing arguments and facts to her that strengthen her belief that the death is murder, not suicide.

Jess’s division is assigned to locate a missing young black man. The boy has a good reputation and is set to go to college yet it appears there is a connection to a local gang that is becoming more of a community problem.  There is a lot of pressure to find the boy before the public or media claim the case isn’t being handled properly due to racial issues.

Jess has to juggle her unrequested leads and desire to investigate the death with her assignment to track down the missing young man. As her search gets closer she finds herself facing local gang leaders and potentially disrupting undercover operations of other law enforcement agencies. All in all, not safe places to be.

I was immediately impressed with the high level of energy that came across in the writing. Even though this is the third book in a series I was quickly drawn into the characters. It didn’t seem like a lot of backstory but there was good depth so that I felt like I understood the underlying dynamics and difficulties that were at play in the ‘office politics’ as well as several personal conflicts.  The conflicts and crime situations are real to life and touch current issues. There is a good line of suspects and clues and Jess has to hunt through the standard motives and push to find the source of evil.  The focus in this book is more mystery but it has some romantic tension as well. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to fans of thrillers, mysteries and romantic suspense.

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

 Part of Jess's description:

Unorthodox didn’t begin to describe her blunt, overbearing tactics. Location 359.

The investigation process:

If the motive was unearthed, all the rest fell into place. It was that simple and, at the same time, vastly complicated.  Location 1033.

I received this eBook from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.

Book Review and Giveaways: Risking It All by Suzanne Barrett

This is a delightful contemporary romance.
Risking it All
by Suzanne Barrett

• File Size: 676 KB
• Print Length: 218 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1622370007
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press (March 12, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007JQTEU0

Genre:  Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS

Pushed out of his own start-up company, Tom McKittrick is ready to lick his wounds in private at the rural family estate he’s inherited. But he isn’t prepared for his Garden of Eden to have a built-in Eve—a reclusive naturalist with a long-term lease on the caretaker’s cottage, a knack for gardening, and an incredibly beautiful face.

A PARADISE FOR TWO

April Fairchild is not about to let Tom McKittrick order her out of the home that has been her cozy retreat from the world. But she has to feel sorry for him—the corporate bigwig is clearly out of his element in, well, the elements. April knows she can teach this hunky guy a thing or two about how to relax. All she has to do is sow the seeds of romance…and let nature take its course.

Review:
This is a delightful contemporary romance.
Lovely and natural April is definitely a country, hands on woman.  She is the gardener/caretaker for the Creggan estate where she has lived since her estranged, celebrity husband died in a car crash. April is determined to keep her independence and even if she lives a bit remotely, she’s satisfied with her work and friends. Her residence at the cottage allows April the resources to make soaps and sachets which she sells at market.  She has a lease that assures her occupancy for a number of years so she is surprised to get a letter demanding that she vacate.

Tom McKittrick is a city slicker, a sharp corporate take-over specialists, has come to the country estate he inherited. He is seeking solitude and quiet since his doctor says he needs time off to reduce stress on his heart. Tom expected the estate house to be ready for him to occupy. But he arrives to find the place locked up tight with no utilities on and serving as a cozy home to the spiders and rats. Tom also thought the caretaker cottage would be empty so he isn’t happy to find a strikingly beautiful young woman stubbornly ensconced.

Tom is going to have to ‘crash’ in April’s guest room while she tries to talk him into letting her stay.  Neither is looking for a romantic involvement but slowly their chemistry pulls them together. But can either stubborn character change from their routines and comfort zones to find a meeting place in the middle?

There is a lot of low key humor in the troubles that Tom faces when he arrives which made me smile. Both characters are likeable and though it’s easy to see where the story may go, it is a delightful journey. I enjoyed the give and take and the trade offs that the pair negotiate. There is a last minute twist that has them both evaluating what they really want. There are lovely gardening details too that give an extra lush richness to the settings.

Suzanne’s smooth writing style reads easily and is always a pleasurable experience. The characters have real features, including flaws and the setting and plot are realistic.  If you like warm contemporary romances, I recommend that you try one of Suzanne’s stories.

A warm, cozy description:

The kettle shut itself off. She poured boiling water over and Earl Grey tea bag, settled onto a green painted ladder-back chair at the round kitchen table, and stared at the row of potted herbs on the sunny windowsill. Sage and thyme, root cuttings of lemon verbena, lavender, and purple-blooming hyssop.  Location 103.

Tom begins to see a dilemma:

How could he live next door to her, see her day after day, work with her and not be affected? She was a capital D distraction.  Location 2043.

I received this title from the Author for an honest review.

This is set in Sonoma, CA for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. 

Thank you to Suzanne Barrett for providing the book for Giveaway!
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for (1) a Print Copy for US winner 
AND (2) eBook copy for International winner:

(1) ENTRY FORM HERE FOR Print Copy - US Only

(2) ENTRY FORM HERE FOR eBook - CANADA/INTERNATIONAL

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website or blog and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is only open WORLDWIDE BUT OFFERS DIFFERENT Format for winners.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 12, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 13, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.  

BookBlast Feature with Giveaway: The Reluctant Bachelorette

Rachael Renee Anderson is offering $50.00 Amazon Gift Code as part of BookBlast Blog Tour.
See details and Rafflecopter form below for entry.

I'll be posting a review on 10/23 so please check back.
Meanwhile, see the Blog Tour list for chances to win copies of the book:
The Reluctant Bachelorette Blog Tour - October 2012

And if you don't want to wait to read the book you can get it at a discounted price through 10/7!

The Reluctant Bachelorette 
by Rachael Anderson

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.

Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?

About the Author:

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.


Links:
FB fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Anderson/174521852685105
Website:
http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/rachaelreneeand
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3229576.Rachael_Renee_Anderson
Amazon author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Renee-Anderson/e/B003357K70/

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html

Giveaway Details:

$50 Amazon Gift Code compliments of Author Rachael Renee Anderson

OPEN WORLDWIDE.  Ends 10/31/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Book Review: Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb

You'll find quick crime thrills in this short story from the "In Death" series.
Midnight in Death
by J.D. Robb 

• File Size: 381 KB
• Print Length: 96 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (September 27, 2005)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000OZ0NW6

Genre: Crime Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: September 27, 2005 | Series: In Death
The number-one New York Times bestselling In Death series explodes with intrigue, passion, and suspense.  Now, Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, propels you into the darkest night of Lieutenant Eve Dallas's life—when a killer comes to call...
Eve's name has made a Christmas list, but it's not for being naughty or nice.  It's for putting a serial killer behind bars.  Now the escaped madman has her in his sights.  With her husband, Roarke, at her side, Eve must stop the man from exacting his bloody vengeance—or die trying...

Review:
This is book 7.5 of the “In Death” series featuring futuristic NY detective, Eve Dallas, and her hunky, master financial wizard, husband, Roarke.

Eve and Roarke are planning on celebrating their first Christmas and New Year’s holidays as a married couple. Considering that they both had troubled childhoods they are hoping to set new traditions now that they have found love together.  Unfortunately their plans are interrupted by a sadistic killer, from Eve’s past.  The Christmas eve call brings Dallas to the huge Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center where a local judge hangs naked with a message carved on his chest. The killer, David Palmer, has escaped from prison and has left a list of targets he plans to capture and torture to death, including Eve herself. 

Eve calls in her usual support team: Peabody, Feeney and McNab. This is a short story but has the usual high intensity team police procedures, crime suspense and good, if limited, character interaction of the full novels. The investigation is fast and furious as victims are snatched in spite of police protection. Eve’s friend and psychologist, Dr. Mira, is also on the list too so Eve has extra incentive to stop the killer before he gets his hands on anyone else.  In between the crime scenes and trying to puzzle out the killer’s location and next moves there are enjoyable dialogue and romance scenes for Eve and Roarke.

I know the result was inevitable but I was a little disappointed that the very clever killer, who could get around so many police security measures, is brought down rather easily at the end. Otherwise this short story has all of the wonderful features I enjoy in this series and I am ready to pick up book 8, Conspiracy in Death, for the next ‘Dallas’ adrenaline hit. If you like crime thrillers and you haven’t tried this series yet I highly recommend it. This one is okay as a stand alone but you’ll enjoy the characters more if you start from the beginning.

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

Opening paragraph:

   Murder respects no traditions. It ignores sentiment. It takes no holidays.

I do love this series and had to get some of it in before the year flew by! This is from my own TBR Kindle library.

What was I thinking when I limited my challenge to two years for this series (now up to 35 not including the 8 shorts)? I will be updating my button to make it a Challenge but no year - however long it takes. :-)