Saturday Snapshot (March 16, 2013) More Flying Things from Hawaii

Here is one more set of pictures from our December visit with our son and daughter-in-law in Hawaii.

I did look up Hawaiian birds and the white chested bird with the red crest pictured last week is a Red Crested Cardinal.  The yellow eyed bird was a Myna. 
But here are just a few more shots of a pretty bird and other objects you might see in the sky!

This lovely red cardinal had a great time getting a bath!

We saw several beautiful, full rainbows.

We also saw AirForce One parked nearby. The President was attending the funeral for the Hawaiian senator.

And before I leave Hawaii, as a proud mom, 
I'll share one more view of our proud son with his new joy!

That about wraps our wonderful Hawaiian trip.
Next week I'll find a new adventure.

Thanks again to all the nice people who have commented on my Saturday pictures. I am so sorry I have only been able to return the visits at the end of the week. :-(

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.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 15, 2013

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

Hello everyone from Vancouver,  Washington where I am enjoying visiting with other publishers and authors at EPICon 2013. I'm also getting used to using the touch pad on my new 11" travel computer.  I didn't get to take a picture of the next group of books before I left Florida so watch for that next week!

[***I'm sorry I have bad news for the international entrants -- I have to ask you to stick with GCs as the new postage rates have almost doubled. What might have been a $6.25 mail out is now close to $12.00.]

Thank you to all who entered the March 1 Pick. There was ONE automatic winner this week. (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There were only two titles blocked again this week.
Louisa selected And Then You Die
Emily selected The Shadow (Kiss of Shadows was part of a pair and blocked by others interested)

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 8 Pick:

Linda T gets a GC

Brooke wins One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest 

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.

I hope everyone has a Blimey Good Weekend!
Image found at Library Visit.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Laurell K. Hamilton
     Cravings (actually an Anthology) and A Kiss of Shadows
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Tom Clancy
     Power Play: Cold War (paperback) and Power Play: Ruthless.com (audio cassette tapes)
Singles:
Deadline by Fern Michaels
Timeline by Michael Crichton
And Then You Die by Iris Johansen
Bride of Shadow Canyon by Stacey Kayne
Echoes by Maeve Binchy (worn spine)
One Dead Under the Cukoo's Nest by Lori Avocato
The Thunder Keeper by Margaret Coel
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Always a Lady by Sharon Sala
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart


New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 

Pairs
Beverly Barton:
    Downright Dangerous and What She Doesn't Know
Heather Graham Pozzessere
    Renegades (Western Anthology) and Everytime I Love You (The spine is creased.)
Mary Baxter
    His Touch and One Summer Evening

Singles-- I found a couple of boxes of romances (a lot of Harlequins) that I haven't gotten to read over the past 8 years so... I will send them off to others to read!
Flashpoint by Linda Barnes
Across a Thousand Miles by Nadia Nichols
Lady Beware by Fayrene Preston
Secrets of the Outback by Margaret Way
Never Say Never Again by Tori Carrington
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland
*Married to His Business by Elizabeth Bevarly 
*The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham
*Chance Adventure by Kelly Eileen Hake
* The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston


New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Pairs:
Fern Michaels
    Payback and Full Me Once
Luanne Rice
    Silver Bells (spine wear) and True Blue
Janet Evanovich
    Full Tilt and Full Bloom
Singles:
Captain's Woman by Merline Lovelace (This is a favorite author and book of mine)
*Death in High Heels by Christina Brand
*Mrs Mallory and the Silent Killer by Hazel Holt


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

PAIRS:
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) 
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

- 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
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
Twice Upon Time by Nina Beaumont
Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer
Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson


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

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
Beautiful Dreamer by Elizabeth Lowell

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)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)
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
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012 (All gone)
Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts
Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

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
Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
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 three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 2012)

I 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 483 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  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
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
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)

Audible Book Review: White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner, with Print Giveaway

This is a family drama with intrigue and historical touches from the Holocaust as added interest.
White Picket Fences 
    UNABRIDGED
    by Susan Meissner
    Narrated by Bernadette Dunne

LENGTH 9 hrs and 19 mins
RELEASE DATE 10-06-09
Program Type Audiobook
PUBLISHER Random House Audio
Genre: Christian Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When her black sheep brother disappears, Amanda Janvier eagerly takes in her 16-year-old niece, Tally. The girl is practically an orphan: motherless, and living with a father who raises Tally wherever he lands - in a Buick, a pizza joint, a horse farm - and regularly takes off on wild schemes. Amanda envisions that she, her husband Neil, and their two teenagers can offer the girl stability and a shot at a "normal" life, even though their own storybook lives are about to crumble.

Seventeen-year-old Chase Janvier hasn't seen his cousin in years, and other than a vague curiosity about her strange life, he doesn't expect her arrival will affect him much - or interfere with his growing, disturbing interest in a long-ago house fire that plagues his dreams unbeknownst to anyone else.

Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won't make them go away.

Will Tally's presence blow apart their carefully-constructed world, knocking down the illusion of the white picket fence and reveal a hidden past that could destroy them all - or can she help them find the truth without losing each other?
©2009 Susan Meissner; (P)2009 Random House

Review:

Tally’s father is off on one of his many adventures having left her in the care of her grandmother. This is nothing new except that her grandmother has died and no one can reach her dad. Tally is suddenly brought home to live with her Aunt. Tally doesn’t want to tell Aunt Amanda where her dad has gone but she is becoming more concerned the longer he is out of touch. Amanda worries about her brother but also is worried for Tally’s state of mind.

What may appear at first to be a stable, normal home setting, complete with the “white picket fence”, turns into a stressed filled home. Everyone is keeping secrets and they are disrupting the family peace.

Chase has repressed memories from a traumatic fire when he was a child. Aunt Amanda wants to speak openly about the memories and get counseling help if needed. Uncle Neil doesn't think Chase remembers and he doesn't want to bring it up. Neil spends more and more time in the garage working on nice woodwork projects for others without recognizing that his wife and children feel that he has abandoned them.

Chase actually is struggling with the memories seeking to remember portions which have been blocked. While he tries to cope with this, he, Tally and Chase’s best friend work on a school project interviewing two men in a nursing home who lived through the Holocaust and helped to sneak babies out of the Ghetto.

There is very interesting history provided through the interviews of the delightful characters. Although the story starts a bit slowly, it twists with the intensity of Chase’s emotions, some not so appropriate choices by Amanda and some delightful connections that tie the characters. 

I particularly liked a section where Chase has an epiphany and a new beginning. I also enjoyed the history of the German Ghetto which was new to me. My ladies book club all enjoyed the book but we felt there were some issues left unresolved. Reading through the author’s notes at the end of the print and Kindle version gave some perspective on this. The notes were not part of the Audible file. 

The book is Christian fiction but not at all preachy and the characters are far from perfect. I recommend this story to those who enjoy intrigue in a family setting.

Audio Notes: I was very impressed with the narrator’s ability to capture the different ages, voices and emotions for the characters. It enhanced the story for me and made it move more quickly than reading would have.

I read this for my local Ladies Book Club. I downloaded it on Audible to speed my "reading" time.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR PRINT 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 Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 22, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 23, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaway: Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Once again Ms. Hoyt does a good job of mixing action, lonely characters and a new chance at love.  Book 5 of this series.
Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt

• File Size: 547 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0749958162
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 26, 2013)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007ZFPRL0

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
"Elizabeth Hoyt has outdone herself." --Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author

WHEN STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John's only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head-and realizes she is his wife . . .

BECOME LOVERS . . .
Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles-the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn't seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be-and so much more . . .

DESIRE IS THE ULTIMATE DANGER
When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth-that the Ghost is her husband-the game is up and the players must surrender . . . to the temptation that could destroy them both.

Review:
Lady Margaret’s secret fiancé, Roger, is murdered, supposedly by the Ghost of St. Giles. Margaret is grief stricken and even more distressed when she realizes she is pregnant. She is hastily married to Godric St. Johns and retires to his country estate. She loses the child and only returns to London for two reasons-- to seduce her husband in hopes of conceiving another child and to seek revenge against the man who murdered her true love.

Godric has shut himself off from the world after the lingering death of his beloved first wife. Godric agreed to a marriage of convenience and has been fine with Margaret away in the country. He is surprised when she shows up at his London home with his sister, a great aunt and a pregnant dog and no apparent plans to leave anytime soon. The home has been allowed to gather cobwebs with no female touch, minimal servants and a master who is disinterested. The only thing that Godric has been interested in is he secret activities as the Ghost of St. Giles. Meg is surprised to discover that her own husband is the dashing, confident Ghost who faces danger to protect innocents in St. Giles.

Although Godric at first refuses to become intimate with his wife, he is aware of the ‘light and laughter’ she brings into his home. He ends up striking a deal with Megs but what starts as duty soon flares to passion and slowly simmers in caring. Godric is the first to move beyond the past and determine that he wants a life with Megs. Margaret has not yet chosen to release her heart to love again. Now Godric must help her get beyond her obsession with the past so they may have a chance at a future, even as that chance is threatened by his own dangerous activities.

I enjoyed the growth of Meg and Godric as they give up their personal ghosts and learn that, as Godric says: “Life is by necessity for the living.” The sexual passion is steamy, real and loving. In addition to the growing romance, the story has plenty of action with Godric rescuing children and being relentlessly pursued by Captain Trevillion who is determined to catch the Ghost and is suspicious of Godric’s nighttime outings. I also liked the myth that is shared at the beginning of each chapter as a parallel to the story.

This is book five of the series and I suppose it might work as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading the prior books to get the full enjoyment of the surrounding characters and the prior romances. I look forward to more adventures of the Ghost of St. Giles.

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

Godric realizes that Meg has restored life to his world:

Godric stood, watching as Megs turned and beamed at him, all glorious, vibrant life. Everything he was not. Everything worth protecting. Location 2370.

I received this ebook through NetGalley from the publisher for an honest review and with the opportunity to host a Giveaway.

The wonderful team at Forever Romance at Hachette are GIVING A FULL PRINT SET OF ALL FIVE BOOKS IN THE SERIES to one lucky US winner!!

 ENTER BY RAFFLECOPTER BELOW

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

* This contest is open US Only.
* No P.O Boxes.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 22, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 23, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane) Elizabeth Hoyt

This is a grand blend of intrigue, tension and romance. Check back tomorrow for my review and giveaway of Lord of Darkness, Book 5 in the series!

Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt

• Paperback
• Publisher: Grand Central Pub 2012-06-26; First Edition edition (2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455508322
• ISBN-13: 978-1455508327
• ASIN: B008XH5FTI

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2012

A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

Review:
The book description does a good job of summarizing the primary characters and storyline.
Isabel is alone with certain liberty as a wealthy widow.  She is one of the Ladies’ benevolence patronesses who support the foundling home. One of the other aristocratic ladies, a frivolous heiress, decides they need an aristocratic manager to represent the home in society settings claiming that the commoner, Winter Makepeace, just doesn’t have the right skills. Isabel is one of several of the ladies who appreciate Makepeace’s dedication and managerial skills. She takes up the challenge to tutor him in social skills rather than allow him to be removed from the home. She would not normally mix with a common schoolteacher but she is drawn to the similar loneliness she sees in the solemn, mysterious man.

Isabel saved the Ghost of St. Giles from a mob and is intrigued by the injured man. Soon she begins to make a connection between the dashing, masked avenger and the quiet, intense schoolteacher. As she tutors Winter a desire builds in her even as he tries to resist her temptations. The tables turn when the previously celibate Winter finally succumbs to Isabel’s spell. She brings light to Winter's darkness. His desire, honor and intensity seeks to bind them for the future but she pulls away because of her own secret.

Winter has learned that young girls are being snatched off the streets to serve in a sweat shop where they are being starved and ill-treated. The location of the operation is moved just when he thinks he can rescue the girls. Now he must continue his hunt, as the Ghost of St. Giles, but he has more to risk than ever before.

There is a wonderful dance of dialogue and romance between these characters. The action begins immediately and the background story is filled with the dangers and evils in St. Giles and heroic efforts to help innocent children.  Although the sexual scenes are a bit raw in graphic description of the passion, there is love, natural chemistry and wonder shared. You can skim over the sexual details if need be and still enjoy the conflict of the relationship and the suspense, intrigue and danger of the plot. There are secrets, excitement and surprises to keep the reading moving quickly. I really like Ms. Hoyt's writing and this series for the exciting plots and the enjoyable dance of the couples as they resist the love that flows from their passions.

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

As Isabel tutors Winter their practice goes beyond the dance steps:

    “And yet you are a passionate woman,” he whispered as he took her hand and raised it. They circled each other as he spoke. “Has anyone cherished you just for yourself?”
    She looked up and laughed at him. “This question from the man who takes care of everyone yet whom no one takes care of?”  Page 111.

I received this book from Grand Central, Hachette for an honest review.