Saturday Snapshot (May 11, 2013) Happy Mother's Day with Flowers

My DH was on the computer about a week ago and I told him NOT to get me flowers...but...
Here is what I have received for Mother's Day.

First, this is our healthy rose bush showing buds on April 27 and then blooms on May 5. 

My DH picked some of the roses for me and I took this picture May 8.

 In spite of my instructions to not buy me anything,

these roses and chocolates arrived Wednesday.

My DH really is a sweet guy!

 

Then yesterday when I got home from work there was a box

that I knew was from my son in Hawaii. :-)

Layer one:

Layer two:

 Layer three:

 Beautiful tropical flowers!

 So these are all available to grace my table on Sunday.

 

Just their thoughts would suit me but it is nice to receive these physical gifts.

I hope all you mothers have wonderful blessings too!

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 May 10, 2013

[** 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!!  I hope everyone is well. Weeks -months- are moving too quickly for me.

[***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 May 3 Pick. There were no Automatic wins 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 SIX titles blocked this week! One of those was won. 

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 3 Pick:

Jane gets Burning Alive

Elizabeth gets a GC

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.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there!

Maybe you'll get blessed with flowers, candy AND BOOKS!

Image found at Elizabeth Anne Designs

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Pairs:
Amanda Scott
      Abducted Heiress and Highland Bride
Sandra Brown
     Texas! Chase and Exclusive (spine wear) (not the covers as on the links)
A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
Deadly Advise by Roberta Isleib
Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson 
On Deadly Ground (Love Inspired Suspense) by Lauren Nichols
Happy Never After by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Female Intellignece by Jane Heller
Improper English by Katie MacAllister
Sheer Dynamite by Jennifer Skully
Golden Chances by Rebbecca Hagen Lee
Caitlin's Guardian Angel by Marie Ferrarella
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Carly Phillips
     The Heartbreaker and Simply Sinful
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
Lord Liar by Laurie Grant
Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Marry Me, Maddie by Rita Herron
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl
Dark Roots & Cowboy Boots by LuAnn McLane
Only My Dreams by Anna Blundy



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
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:
Timeline by Michael Crichton
Bride of Shadow Canyon by Stacey Kayne
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
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!
Never Say Never Again by Tori Carrington
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland
*The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham
* The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston


New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

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

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
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer


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)


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)

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)

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


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 506 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)

Group #12---(All gone)

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

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman

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 and Cassette Giveaway: Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb

This is another exciting mystery for Lieutenant Eve Dallas.

Loyalty in Death: In Death, Book 9
UNABRIDGED
    By J. D. Robb
    Narrated By Susan Ericksen
        Series: In Death, Book 9


LENGTH  12 hrs and 15 mins
RELEASE DATE  05-20-08
PUBLISHER  Brilliance Audio
Amazon Link

Genre: Crime Thriller, Futuristic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Eve Dallas returns to face her most ingenious foe - a "secret admirer" who taunts her with letters...and kills without mercy.
An unknown bomber is stalking New York City. He is sending Eve Dallas taunting letters promising to wreak mass terror and destruction among the "corrupt masses". And when his cruel web of deceit and destruction threatens those she cares for most, Eve fights back. It's her city...it's her job...and it's hitting too close to home. Now, in a race against a ticking clock, Eve must make the pieces fit - before the city falls.
Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Once again Eve is faced with new murders and threats to solve. Eve is investigating a bizarre killing by a jealous lover. Although the murderer acknowledges the rage of passion, not all the facts add up. However that case is soon overshadowed when Eve begins to receive taunting messages from a bomber group threatening to take down famous spots in New York, if not all of New York. The group calls themselves “Cassandra” and they want to eliminate the corrupt government. They claim “We are loyal...” but they are not loyal to the innocent lives they ruthlessly kill.

Roarke owns many of the famous locations in New York and he gets a threat too as part of the “capitalist corruption” that must be eliminated. The first building targeted is a vacant warehouse where Eve escapes with only minor injuries. Roarke isn’t going to stand by and let Eve face these threats alone. Not only because the properties being threatened may belong to him but, more importantly, because he is scared for Eve’s safety. Eve does her usual bold dashing into the fray with Roarke right behind her.

Eve’s assistant, Peabody, gets side tracked when her younger brother, Zeke, comes to town. Zeke is attracted to an older woman he met in Arizona even though he knows he should stay away from her. She engaged him to do work in New York and, coincidentally–or perhaps not–the woman’s husband is the brother of the bizarre murder victim. Ultimately Zeke’s involvement and another death give Eve a new direction for the bomber investigation.

Peabody is training nicely until she becomes distracted by a sudden, sizzling attraction between her and McNab, the nerdy tech expert on Eve’s team. Peabody is a strong, humorous character and adds more interest to these stories.

As always, I enjoyed the mystery and the interaction between the characters. The sexual tension between Eve and Roarke is romantic and steamy. There is some discord that fits with their strong personalities. Eve is still trying to understand how she ended up married to this gorgeous, wealthy man with the high tech toys that reach to places where normal law enforcement channels may not go. There was a bit of head hopping where all of a sudden the thoughts/POV would be Peabody’s or McNab’s instead of Eve’s. This was a little distracting in the audio version.

Audio Notes: The narrator, Susan Ericksen, does an amazing job on the character voices–even the computer and the creepy messages! She delivers each voice with an appropriate accent and personality features.  This adds to my enjoyment of the series.

I was disappointed by the use of the “F” word more liberally than I liked. This seemed more noticeable in the first half of the book. Still, the overall story package is engaging and good reading entertainment.

I grabbed this from my Audible Library.

I still need to update my button to make this a "Challenge" but no year - however long it takes since the series is over 36 books now. :-) And it looks like I jumped Conspiracy in Death, Book 8. I don't see it in my read lists so I'll have to go back a book.

I thought I had  print copy but I found I have an Audio Cassette Copy of the book
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a used Tape Cassette AudioBook 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 or Canada entries.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 17, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 18, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Cowboy Take Me Away by Jane Graves

This is a warm, lovely romance.
Cowboy Take Me Away
by Jane Graves

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Forever (April 30, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455515191
• ISBN-13: 978-1455515196

Genre: Contemporary
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: April 30, 2013 | Series: Rainbow Valley

FIRST LOVE BURNS HOTTER

Rainbow Valley, Texas, has always been a refuge for animals, and Shannon North, director of the local shelter, intends to keep it that way. But with donations drying up and more pets in need of a loving home than ever before, Shannon's beginning to fear she's not the savior the shelter needs. When a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy from her past comes to the rescue, she knows that accepting his help may come with a high price: her heart.

THE SECOND TIME AROUND

Bad boy Luke Dawson shook the dust from this little town off his boots years ago. He walked away from everything . . . except the memory of the one night of passion he shared with Shannon. Now, a few wins away from becoming the world bull-riding champion, Luke's headed for fame and fortune. But then a crisis calls him back to Rainbow Valley, and Luke is reunited with the good girl who stole-and broke-his heart. As their rekindled relationship deepens into desire, old secrets resurface, and Luke must choose between the future he's always dreamed of and the only woman he's ever loved.

Review:
Shannon was raised with ‘expectations’ to do all the right things, get the good grades and ultimately marry into society and win her mother’s approval. As a teen she’d been attracted to the bad boy in town, Luke. They grew close as co-workers, then friends and finally shared a night of passion. But the magic was shattered when Shannon’s mother showed up to pull her home. Shannon’s heart was shattered when Luke disappeared from town the next day.

Luke was the son of the town drunk and ended up living up to the trouble people expected from him. He never received help or encouragement from anyone except his boss at the shelter and Shannon as they became friends. He and Shannon shared a passionate encounter but Shannon appeared to turn her back on him. That was the night he turned his back and left town for good.

Luke has taken a lot of bumps and hits as a rodeo bull rider. Finally the work and pain has paid off as he is in the lead to win the National Championship. In between events he makes a stop back to Rainbow Valley where he tries to face his past to finally put it behind him. As he is frozen at the door of his dilapidated home he falls through the porch and injures his knee. Now he is stuck in Rainbow Valley to recuperate. To make ends meet he takes on the caretaker job at Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter.

Luke still has a rough reputation in town and many, including Shannon’s mother, still see him as trouble. Shannon’s mother is all in favor of another suitor, the proper, society raised town dentist. There are good reasons for Shannon and  Luke to stay apart - the pain of their past and the fact that Luke will be leaving town in a few months. Yet it is really difficult for them to work together and to resist the electrical pull that still flares between them.  

This was a very easy, smooth read from beginning to end. I was quickly pulled into caring for the characters even, or maybe especially, with their flaws and vulnerabilities. The dialogue is very natural and the storyline sweetly believable.  The secondary characters, including a few quirky animals, are a fun element. Luke’s rapport with them and children is heart warming. The romance sizzles in a nice sexy way. Ms. Graves delivered a happy ending with a wonderfully engaging path to get there. The author's website reflects her creativity and strong imagination. This is the first time I have read Ms. Graves and I would be glad to read more of her writing.

Luke’s world changes:

Growing up, Luke had always felt the irony of living a black and white existence in a place where rainbows happened more often than just about any other place in the country.  But as he looked at this rainbow now, it was as if that black and white existence had faded away and his life had exploded in Technicolor splendor. P426

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

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Review Copy:

 ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
EXTRA 2 Entry BONUS IF YOU visit one of the businesses in Rainbow Valley and tell me which one!

* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 17, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 18, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement. 

Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop May 7th - 13th

"Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop!
May 7th to 13th

Time to clear some more books off my shelves -- so take a look and see if there is something you might like if you win!

Thank you to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting!

Once again I am clearing out boxes by giving away FOUR sets of multiple books. There are seven sets to choose from! Most are used copies except for the Beverly Lewis pair.

ALL PACKAGES #1 through #7 are Open Worldwide (US, Canada or Internationally) with the ONLY RESTRICTION being that the mailing cost is not to exceed $15.00. Therefore a winner may be limited to only one book depending on the shipping costs. (Sorry for this but these do add up - Thanks for understanding.) 

FOUR WINNERS: First winner - 1st choice of package; Second winner - 2nd choice; Third winner - 3rd choice; and Fourth winner - 4th choice of package.. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PACKAGE #6 which can be chosen once by US winner if desired and once by an International winner if desired.

Package #1 Two Books
Contemporary or Historical Romance

Winner can pick Two books from this box or the books spread out below
(NOTE: Subject to pick of two books by a previous winner who is finalizing her selection
from books that include these titles.)

Package #2 Romantic Suspense

Two titles by Mariah Stewart

Package #3 - Trigiani

Books 1 and 3 from the Big Stone Gap Series

Package #4 Paranormal Romance
Three titles by Rebecca York

Package #5 Christian

Two Christian titles  - Brand new
by Beverly Lewis
Or - two other Christian titles to be picked from 
available books - picture or titles to be provided

Package #6

Two Books From the Bookshelves!

I will send the winner pictures of at least 4 of my book shelves 

and 4 boxes of books to pick from.

Package #7

Two Audios - Winner may choose 
from Audio Books for Giveaways
(There will be at least twenty titles to choose from but I have to update the list as one or two on there may be gone and I may add a new MP3 CD. See link but don't spend time picking now.)

Enter through Rafflecopter - 
then hop on to more giveaways at the participating blogs in the links below. 
ENDS 5/13/13
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

HAPPY HOPPING!