Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 16, 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! Counting Down! - 38 days to Christmas... days to Hawaii trip! Only 6 days to Thanksgiving, 5 till company arrives. Nope. Not yet ready!

Thank you to all who entered the November 9 Pick. There was one automatic winner 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). Once again 50% of the non-GC entries were blocked picks this week.  :-( Both 'won titles' were from the "blocked" titles.
Faith Hope and Cherrytea choose A Delicate Deception.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 9 Pick:

Miki won (through the block) A Regency Christmas Anthology

and
Ana Death Duarte gets One For the Money if postage permits OR 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 at SEPTA
Safe traveling and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating this coming Thursday!

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] WON - subject to postage check
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)

Book Review: Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall

There are secrets, tension and emotional intensity from beginning to end in this story. 

Secrets of the Red Box

by Vickie Hall

• File Size: 480 KB
• Print Length: 318 pages
• Publisher: Vickie Hall; 1 edition (September 15, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B009BURX3M

Genre: Suspense

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2012

Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Review:
In 1945 Bonnie escapes from San Diego on the first bus she can get to. She lands in Omaha to start a new life. She is running from some terrible deeds but that is kept as secrets in her red leather box.  As she starts in a new job Bonnie makes friends and begins dating but she isn’t honest with them and isn’t really sincere in her relationships. Clearly she is a liar and a user of others. There are flash backs to her painfully abusive childhood that begin to give depth to Bonnie’s character making the reader wonder the influences that have contributed to her personality along with wondering what did Bonnie do that she is running from?

On the other side of the world in Italy, Corporal Glen Taggart is struggling to keep his young friend, Charlie Larkin, alive to get home to his wife, Amy. The 25 year old Glen has taken on the  responsibility to care for 20 year old Charlie because Glen seems to need to redeem himself from the death of his mother when he was a boy. Glen is a good man with a warm heart who tries to help stray dogs as well as young soldiers. I felt sorrow for the pain and tragedy he may face.

When the war ends, Glen returns to Omaha and meets Bonnie through his Aunt Irene. Bonnie has been working along side Irene and rooming in their basement. Although Bonnie has always sought to remain apart and not get involved with others she has slowly begun to feel that Irene and Don are a family she wished she could have grown up with. After a slightly antagonistic start, it isn’t long before Glen and Bonnie acknowledge they have fallen in love.

Bonnie takes the risk of marrying Glen and to her surprise and great joy they have children. All seems to be happiness until the day Glen uncovers the secrets in the red box. Bonnie’s greatest fears are realized as she has to face the consequences of her past.

The author manages to pull the reader’s interest in right from the beginning wondering what  crime or dreadful secret Bonnie is running from. There is emotional depth skillfully developed along with the tension of suspense. Bonnie isn’t immediately likeable but Ms. Hall manages to build a sympathetic view for her. I found myself feeling trepidation each time she pulled out the red box and pain at the betrayals that must follow the disclosure as I began to suspect what the secrets would reveal. Although there was some minor editing roughness the story is well written and strongly emotional. The ending is not a fairy tell HEA but rather a realistic possibility of a future. This is a different read but I do recommend it.

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

Bonnie’s longing for family and love:

She envied the woman for parents who loved her, for a home with walls papered in sanity.  Location 380

Irene tries to convince Bonnie she can have a better future in spite of her painful past.

“But life is what you make of it, Bonnie, and there’s no reason in the world why you can’t have a lived in home of your own someday.”
   How Bonnie wished that were true. But she’d sealed her fate back in San Diego, hadn’t she?  Location 3579.

I recieved this title for an honest review through participation in BookBlast tours.

This is set in Omaha, Nebraska for the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will Also add it to my New Author and Suspense Challenge Lists.

Visit my BookBlast Post for chance to enter the Author's Giveaway for $50.00.

Author Vickie Hall
Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Blog * Website  Facebook * Goodreads

3rd Annual Gratitude Giveaways Hop - Nov. 15th to 25th

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop

Hosted by the fabulous Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

This particular Giveaway is to say a BIG THANK YOU to followers of our blogs.
My blog is an outlet for me to share my love of reading with others but having followers who participate by peeking in, participating and especially commenting makes it extra special and worthwhile for me.

This Giveaway is Easy Entry and Open Worldwide. TWO WINNERS will get $15.00 value book(s) from The Book Depository or GC- winners' choice.

 Enter through the Rafflecopter..

Then follow the hop to other gratitude giveaways!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Audio Book Review: A Brew to a Kill: A Coffeehouse Mystery by Cleo Coyle

Coffee and food fun spice up this amateur sleuthing mystery!
A Brew to a Kill: A Coffeehouse Mystery
Cleo Coyle (Author), Rebecca Gibel (Narrator) 

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 10 hours and 28 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: AudioGO
• Audible.com Release Date: August 7, 2012

Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 2012 | Series: A Coffeehouse Mystery
"Coyle's Coffeehouse books are superb" (Library Journal), and now the national bestselling author of MURDER BY MOCHA serves up a hot new Coffeehouse Mystery with A BREW TO A KILL.

Coffee. It can get a girl killed.
A shocking hit-and-run in front of her Village Blend coffeehouse spurs Clare Cosi into action. A divorced, single mom in her forties, Clare is also a dedicated sleuth, and she's determined to track down this ruthless driver who ran down an innocent friend and customer. In the meantime, her ex-husband Matt, the shop's globetrotting coffee buyer, sources some amazing new beans from Brazil. But he soon discovers that he's importing more than coffee, and Clare may have been the real target of that deadly driver. Can ex-husband and wife work together to solve this mystery--or will their newest brew lead to murder? Includes recipes.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review:
I thought this started a little slowly but fortunately it soon picked up and held my interest for the rest of the story. The story starts with a hit and run from the view of the killer which does get the listener’s attention.  The scene then shifts to Clare’s coffee realm and there was some kibitzing, and introducing characters, before the next incident occurred. Clare’s nasty competition, Kaylie the Kupcake Kween, is hawking her wares outside of The Village Blend. As Clare and her staff are getting the harassing truck to move on, a van charges down the street hitting Lili Beth, Clare’s friend and new dietary consultant. Clare meets with "Mad Max" Buckman, the intense NYPD detective investigating the hit and run. When it appears the attack was intentional Clare begins to suspect Kaylie and seeks clues to prove her guilt.

Meanwhile, Clare and her sexy, Italian, ex-husband Matt, discover that there is something extra in the bags of premium coffee beans recently received from Brazil. Clare’s boyfriend, Detective Mike Quinn, who specializes in drug related cases, returns from a Washington conference pulling strings to help protect Clare and Matt -- first from a DEA raid and then from the Brazilian drug lords who are expected to show up to claim their product.

Ms. Coyle does a good job of blending lots of humor and some tender romance with the sleuthing action. Once the second hit and run occurred I was completely hooked into the story and it moved at a good pace. Woven throughout the twisting mystery investigations are more interesting characters, coffee and food recipes, fashion details and fun poetry rapping. This is not the first book in the series so all of the cast were new to me and there are quite a few colorful characters to meet.

Audio notes: Rebecca Gibel does a grand job giving personality to all of the varied character voices. It was easy to follow along with the shift in speakers, from Clare's Bohemian, Matriarchal mother-in-law to sassy Esther and her poetry rapping. The fun ‘perks’ through the narration. I look forward to going back and picking up other audio installments in this very fun series.

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

I loved the coffee euphemisms:

"Blonde Roast. It’s a nutty little number with a sweet and sassy note of honey drizzled blackberry. She’s a real kick too. Mainly because she’s a lighter roast so there’s slightly more caffeine left in the bean. But there’s an even better reason men tell me they enjoy drinking her in."... "She’s far less trouble than a real blonde." Trac 65.

And there are words of wisdom on art:

"Art isn’t about what’s pretty, it’s about what’s true and what’s real. Being an artist is about finding your voice and vision just as Esther described it. And you don’t find the truth through cosmetic surgery. You find it through authenticity." Trac 84

I received this Audio download, for an honest review, from AudioGo
through AudioBook Jukebox.

This is set in New York; I will add it to my Audio, Cozy Mystery and New Author Challenge lists.

Book Review: A Lady by Any Other Name by Jennifer Kitchens

This is a charming, great, quick read.

A Lady By Any Other Name

by Jennifer Kitchens

File Size: 479 KB
Print Length: 209 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477612416
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2012

A Woman in Hiding

Nicole Farrington's life had never been easy, but it had always been bearable. At least it had been until now. Faced with a horrible marriage her step-brother has contracted for her, she will do anything to get away. She’ll run…run to anyone who might be able to help her. But running blindly down an unknown path may take her to an unexpected destination.

A Man Seeking Answers

Julian Huntington, Earl of Foxley, wants nothing more than to have his carefree life back. Now he is left with a title, a child, and a future that he never expected would be his. He refuses to believe his brother's death was an accident, no matter what people say. Someone killed him and Julian plans to find out who and why. Maybe then he can go on with his life…his brother’s life. But will the answers he seeks be enough, or will he find love to be a worthier goal?

Review:
Nicole Farrington lost her mother very young and as a teen lost her father. On his death bed her father gave her information revealing a secret of her past and telling her to seek out Lord Avonley if she was ever in need. She has worked along with the servants in her household and tried to avoid the lecherous guests her step-brother, Roland, brings home to party with. Now that she has turned eighteen her brother has negotiated to wed her to an older, unpleasant man, in exchange for settling his gambling debts.  It is time to seek the help of Lord Avonley.

Nicole sets out disguised as a lad. Along the way “Nick” is rescued at an inn from a scuffle with some other young boys by a man handsome, kind man. When she finally makes it to her destination she meets another surprise. The plan is to send her to the Earl of Foxley, and to remain low key, while Lord Avonley seeks out papers that will get her away from her wicked step-brother.

Julian Huntington, Earl of Foxley, is struggling with his inherited position and his young niece who has withdrawn at the loss of her second parent. Julian is convinced his brother’s death a year earlier was not an accident and he suspects some foul play involving a wild party hosted by Roland Farrignton.

Julian doesn’t know who the lovely young lady is who appears seeking his dead brother, Roger. The note from Lord Avonley is vague and mysterious.  Nicole is surprised to see the kind man who helped Nick and hopes he doesn’t recognize her. Introducing herself as Anna, Nicole quickly makes friends with young Clara and is brought under the wing of Aunt Gussie. Even though there is a risk of exposure, Nicole/Anna can’t stop Aunt Gussie from seeking to introduce Anna at ton parties. As Anna and Julian begin to draw closer, Nicole struggles with whether she should reveal the truth of her circumstances to Julian.  Julian suspects she is hiding something and he is already trying to ferret out the truth of what happened to his brother.  When the connections are revealed will Julian be able to forgive Nicole for her deceptions?

This is a wonderful sweet story with hidden secrets and interesting characters that keep it engaging.  Nicole is tenacious if a bit reckless. Julian is kind even if a bit brusque. Clara adds a little extra charm as a child who needs special patience, love and reassurance. The writing moves at a good pace with descriptions that are strong with good imagery. The reading is light and quick. I am glad I got to read this and if you like sweet historical romance, treat yourself to this delightful story.

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

Example of a nice, strong description:

As the slushy mess accumulated, a feeling of desolation and abandonment permeated the air. The old walls groaned as the wind rattled the window.  Location 9

Julian’s reaction to ‘Amma”:

There was something vulnerable about her that made him want to solve her problems. Location 616.

 This ebook was provided by the author for an honest review.

I will add this to my New Author Challenge list.