Winner of Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight

CONGRATULATIONS to Winner

of
Giveaway ARC Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight

Melissa

Melissa Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will notify the publisher and or send the books.  Please reply within 72 hours!
Thank you to all who entered these giveaways.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Enslaved by Elisabeth Naughton

This is a story of Greek gods, super guardians, battles of good versus evil, and, of course, steamy passion for the tortured hero and heroine.
Enslaved (Eternal Guardians)
by Elisabeth Naughton

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402262159
• ISBN-13: 978-1402262159

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0  (Note there are plenty of positive ratings at Amazon so this is my reflection; just one opinion.)

Book Description
Release Date: November 6, 2012 | Series: Eternal Guardians

"Do not miss this series."—New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione

GRYPHON—Honorable, loyal, dependable...tainted. He was the ultimate warrior before imprisonment in the Underworld changed him in ways he can't ignore.

She calls to him. Come to me. You can't resist. But Gryphon will not allow himself to be ruled by the insidious whispers in his head. And there's only one way to stop them: kill Atalanta, the goddess who enslaved him. But with so much darkness inside, he can't be sure what's real anymore. Even the Eternal Guardians, those who protect the human realms and the gods, want to exile him.

Finding Malea is like a miracle. Somehow he doesn't feel the pull of the dark when she's near. And he's determined to keep her as near as possible, whether she wants him close or not. But she's a temptation that will test every bit of control he has left. One that may ultimately have the power to send him back to the Underworld...or free him from his chains for good.

Review:
Gryphon is, or was, a warrior of the Argonaut Eternal Guardians. That was before he was subjected to torture and bound by a curse to the evil Goddess, Atalanta.  His brother, Orpheus, rescued Gryphon from the Underworld but Gryphon is still enslaved. He is near crazy hearing Atalanta’s voice calling to him to return and do her evil bidding. 

Gryphon has been held in seclusion at the castle where the half-breed colony remain in hiding. Gryphon is glad to have battle time but his attack against daemons resulted in a berserker episode that injured his fellow warriors. Now the colony leader, Nick, is set on exiling him before he hurts anyone else.  Gryphon doesn’t want his brother to sacrifice his life and new relationship to go with him so he decides to escape on his own before they send him away.

Gryphon isn’t the only one making an escape from the colony. Malea has been glad to have a reprieve in the family atmosphere of the colony but she is afraid to stay and risk exposing them to danger. Malea is the illegitimate daughter of Zeus and Persephone, Hades wife. She has been running from Hades' hellhounds who are constantly looking for her to drag her to the Underworld so Hades can use her in a power battle among the gods and goddesses. Malea seeks to gain entrance and sanctuary in Olympus but she must prove her worthiness before Zeus will recognize her.

Gryphon snatches Malea in the underground tunnels because he believes she knows the way out.  He is startled to discover that her presence quiets the voice of Atalanta within his head. Although he originally planned to let her go as soon as they were out of the tunnels he decides to keep her with him for her calming effects. Malea objects...at first. But soon she is pulled in by the attraction and honor she finds in Gryphon. Can the two of them find strength together to change their dreams-- assuming they can outrace the daemons, hellhounds, half-breeds, not to mention Atalanta and Hades, who are chasing them?

I have wanted to read this author and series for some time. I was a little concerned that the writing might be a bit bolder and grittier than I like and I was right. It took a third of the book for me to begin to feel engaged. That may have been due to the language, as I did like the characters. Both Gryphon and Malea are lonely and tortured. I was glad that they found each other for support. There is fighting action and the writing flows reasonably well. There is also a good amount of sexual activity that takes up the middle of the story before they return to the battle between the forces of good and evil.  I noted a repetitive amount of dialogue that consists of Gryphon gasping "Malea" and nothing else. Though mostly well written, this didn't really pull me in. If you are a reader who like stories of gods, super guardians and battles of good versus evil, and you like steamy passion, then this would be a good paranormal romance choice.  This story seemed fine as a stand alone although I always think it is best to start at the beginning of a series.

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

How Gryphon comes to feel about Malea:

He’d never been just a man. The entirety of his life was wrapped up in being an Argonaut, a warrior, a fighter trained in honor and duty. Females had come on to him, but they’d never wanted him for who he was inside.  Page 242.

“Sotiria.” His hands framed her face, forced her to look up. Heat rushed over her spine when she saw the soft, needy look in his eyes. “Don’t you know I would give up anything for you?” Page 337.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

I will add this to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

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

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 23, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 24, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Saturday Snapshot (11/10/12) Our Visit to Ketchikan, AK

On the sixth day of our cruise we visited Ketchikan, AK. We did a bus tour to Potlach Totem Park, which is built at an old fishing village site. We continued to have nice weather.

The guides explained the sad history that the natives were pulled from their homes and sent away to "missionary" or government schools. Several generations almost lost the native traditions and they are just now starting to rebuild and relearn their natural heritage.
An interesting thing we learned - Juneau and Ketchikan are only accessible by boat (ferry, cruise or private) or air. 

In addition to the village shots, shown in the slideshow, there is an antique car museum at the park! Who would have thought?

Here are some photos as we went through the park.

I did a little shopping in town before going back to the ship - picked up some handmade Christmas ornaments. And of course - I had to take a shot of Downtown Books!

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Audio Book Review: Emily Goes to Exeter by Marion Chesney

This is a fun, engaging match-making tale set in Regency England.

Emily Goes to Exeter: The Traveling Matchmaker, Book One 
Author: Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
Narrator: Helen Lisanti
Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 5 hours and 39 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: AudioGO
Audible.com Release Date: August 1, 2012

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 15, 2010
A dead employer’s legacy of five thousand pounds allows spinster Hannah Pym to resign from housekeeping and find adventure travelling the English countryside by stagecoach. But adventure soon finds Miss Pym in the form of Miss Emily Freemantle, a spoilt violet-eyed beauty fleeing an arranged marriage to a rake she has never met. What the girl’s darkly handsome betrothed boards their stage, Miss Pym is certain Emily was rash to bolt from this aristocratic catch! And so as soon as the travellers repair to an inn, Miss Pym begins her matchmaking… and although Lord Ranger Harley complains he’ll not marry an ungrateful minx, Miss Pym suspects once she’s marshalled the couple into sharing intimate household chores, all romantic knots will be untangled!

Review:
Although the story is title “Emily Goes to Exeter” the true protagonist and star of the story is Hannah Pym.  Miss Pym is a middle-aged spinster who has risen over many years to the position of Housekeeper for a reclusive gentleman. Miss Pym has steadfastly taken care of Mr. Clarence since before his wife ran away. Now Mr. Clarence has died and Miss Pym wonders what will happen to her.

Miss Pym is thrilled when she is left the good sum of five thousand pounds-- enough to take care of her for the rest of her life. Now she can seek adventures on the ‘flying’ stage coaches that she has longingly watched from the parlor windows.  Miss Pym gets some pleasant help from Mr. Clarence’s distinguished and kind, single brother, Sir George, who has inherited Thornton Hall. He helps her set up an account at the bank and encourages her to stay safe as she insists on setting out on the stage coach to Exeter.

Miss Pym is fascinated by the other passengers and the coach staff. An attempt by a highwayman is thwarted but inclement weather strands the group at a local Inn. When the Inn staff can’t get through the snow, the indomitable Miss Pym takes charge to organize feeding and cleaning with the expectation that everyone, from Coachman to Lord, will pitch in to help. 

Miss Pym puts her organizational skills to work too as a matchmaker for Miss Emily, a young girl who was running away from a match made by her parents, and her would be fiancé, Lord Harley, who has followed along to take her home.  Emily thought she was in love with a young man at home and that Lord Harley was too old and rakish for her. But her nose is out of joint to discover that Lord Harley may well reject a spoiled young miss, no matter her beauty.

Miss Pym is also matchmaking to get a rich widow away from the Captain who wants to control her and match her with a sweet, kind Lawyer instead.  Jealousies and tempers flare and injuries occur that indicate someone in the group is up to no good.

Miss Pym finds adventure in the whole journey and is a delightful character! I loved the regency setting that allowed her adventures along the road and at the Inn. The group of traveling companions are well developed to play into their roles with intrigue and sweet, budding romance. Although the mysterious attacks are a smaller portion of the whole, they add to the package to make this an entertaining tale.

Audio Notes: The narrator does a fine job of capturing the different British voices from cockney to highbrow and various classes in between. The reading fit the 'old-fashioned' tone. The pacing was sweet and moved well with the easy pace of the story.  This is a fun and engaging listen especially for readers who enjoy this genre.

I received this for an honest Review from AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 9, 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! Let's see - 46 days to Christmas... Are we getting ready yet? Ok - let's slow down a little. Only 13 days to Thanksgiving... Now THAT I want to get ready for. :-)

Thank you to all who entered the November 2 Pick. There were no automatic winners this week (the first and last comments :-( (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). Yikes -- 50% of the non-GC entries were blocked picks this week.  :-( The most sought after title was won.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 2 Pick:

Paranormal & Romantic Suspense chose (the one that six of you were vying for!) the Gena Showalter pair
and
Llehn gets a Gift Certificate

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.

Image found Challenging the Book Worm
 Pizza Hut is sponsoring National Young Readers Week this year November 12 through November 16 with an assortment of challenges and prizes.

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

 PAIRS:
Gena Showalter:
     The Darkest Kiss and the Darkest Night
Mary Balogh:
     Simply Perfect and A Summer to Remember
Tami Hoag:
     Ashes to Ashes and A Thin Dark Line (Both have spine creasing)
Dick Francis:
     10 LB Penalty and Risk
Tom Clancy:
     Op-Center State of Siege and Op-Center Mission of Honor
SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*A Gift of Murder by M.D. Lake  (slight spine creasing)
*The Mistletoe Wager by Christine Merrill
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)
*A Family for Christmas by Kate Welsh  (slight spine creasing)
*A Regency Christmas Anthology - Lyn Stone, Carla Kelly and Gail Rainstorm



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---(All gone)

*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---(All gone)

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 429 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)