Saturday Snapshot July 13, 2013 - Campground, Freeport Beach

I am late posting Saturday Snapshot today because we are out of town. Our Grandson is playing in District Baseball playoffs so we brought the motorcoach down for the family to have a mini vacation at Freeport Beach, FL.I didn't arrive until after 7pm last evening so my DH already had the motorcoach all set up.

Here is the Coach ready for nighttime.

This is the field that the coach faces.

There are just a couple of the 20+ horses off to the right.

Here are those couple of horse zoomed in.

Here is a sliver of crescent moon (the little white spot in upper midsection of photo)

and a bit of the storm clouds we have been experiencing.

We will be watching Grandson's first game this afternoon and then DH and I will return home.
Three kids and four adults is a bit much in such a small space.
Hopefully the kids will have fun -
maybe on the horses or for sure visiting the beach which is half a mile away.
I'll take photos of the recreational park -- which looks pretty awesome -- this afternoon.
We might come back in the next few days if they are winning.

I hope everyone is having a great time. Sorry I didn't get to visit at all this past week. Hopefully I will a bit later today or tomorrow.
Thanks to all who stop by and visit.

A big Thank You to Alyce at Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility. 

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 being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. 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.

Book Review: Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper

This is book is edgy and exciting.
Silent Warrior
by Lindsey Piper

• File Size: 777 KB
• Print Length: 112 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star (April 22, 2013)
• Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
• ASIN: B009K54S6I

Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 22, 2013
An exciting, emotionally charged prequel to the Dragon Kings trilogy featuring warriors fighting for their lives in violent cage matches to guarantee their clans’ survival—available exclusively as an eBook!

A silent woman ashamed of her criminal background becomes a Cage warrior to seek redemption. An unrepentant fortune hunter will do anything to escape his mounting debts. Although rivals on the streets of Hong Kong, they find common ground when seeking their clan’s stolen idol, but for vastly different reasons. Neither one suspects that love will begin when he becomes the first man in five years to hear her speak.

Review:

Hark is fighting in a warrior match to earn money to pay off debts. His opponent is a beautiful, expressionless and silent woman. She won’t even give a groan in injury. Hark on the other hand is a chatterer and he is fascinated and intent to break through the silence of this fierce warrior. Hark and the woman are both of the Sath Clan, who are able to borrow the abilities of Dragon Kings. However she wears a collar indicating she is in bondage to one of the Cartels and unable to use the powers of others. He finally establishes a slight advantage and, although the woman would not surrender, her ‘handler’ instructs her to stop.

The woman collects $4,000.00 for the fight and tucks it into her bodice. Hark plans to collect his half of the payment but before the two can exit the bar they are confronted with another powerful Dragon King, and his henchmen, who plan to steal the money. Hark and the woman quickly move together to take on the new threat. Soon they leave the opposition in the dust and head off down the dark ally ways to a place to be alone together to slack the other passions that have risen with the adrenaline of battle. Hark finally learns the woman is called–fittingly–Silence.

They are surprised by the extent of their passions and Hark becomes intent on learning Silence’s true name and getting her to reveal more emotion. Soon they are on the run from a new attack as  debt collectors come after Hark. Silence leads him to a horrible, crowded, dilapidated tenement building where she has stashed another Dragon King as a prisoner. Once again they must fight together and share power to prevail.

Silence is on a mission to recover a stolen idol and regain her honor. Hark recognizes her strength and proposes to join her as a mate, even if it means he goes into bondage for a time to pay off his debts.

The story is full of intense action and passion. I liked both strong characters.  The stoic, determined Silence and the bantering, impulsive Hark make a great team. The language is a little rough but it didn’t overwhelm the storyline.  This novella is very entertaining and left me wanting to read more of their adventures.  

This is prequel I picked up at NetGalley to see if I might like the series.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 12, 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 Friends!! Is everyone enjoying Summer (or winter)? It continues to rain alot here and that makes it muggy with the heat.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the  international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the July 5 Pick. There was ONE Automatic win 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 four titles blocked by multiple picks again this week. One title was won through a block that has been continuing for several weeks.

Carol L gets Lady in Red (Another time persistence paid off since this had been blocked for a few weeks.)

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 5 Pick:

Brooke gets Deadly Advice

Llehn 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. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This looks like a nice way to stay cool in the summer sun!

Image found at Stager to Go.

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
     (Highlands) Highland Treasure by Amanda Scott and Highlander Unbound by Julia London
     (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
What Sarah Saw by Margaret Daley (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
Her Last Chance by Terri Reed  (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Mission: Irresistible by Lori Wilde
Sin and Scandal in England by Melody Thomas
Dance With Me by Luanne Rice
A Mother's Day Anthology - three stories
Rising Moon by Lori Handeland
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone
Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher
Promise Forever by Marta Perry


New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Pairs:
Hannah Howell
     Highland Hearts and Highland Destiny
Catherine Anderson
     My Sunshine and Blue Skies
Elizabeth Lowell
     Remember Summer and Too Hot to Handle
Singles:
Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf
Shadow of the Sun by Tammy Hilz
Dark Summer by Iris Johansen
Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Summer by the Cottage by Susan Wiggs
Shadow Beach by Barbara Freethy
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler


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! (as of 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 528 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 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 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)

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers

This is a solid romance story in small town setting.

Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)

by Rochelle Alers

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Forever (May 28, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1455501395
• ISBN-13: 978-1455501397

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Home is where the heart is.

Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she's offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn.

Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman . . . and stirs feelings Nate isn't sure he's ready for.

Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?

Review:
Morgan turned into a beautiful woman after suffering as a gangly child and teen. In college and while studying abroad she suffered betrayal in her relationships. She returned to Haven Creek where she has worked to build her reputation as an architect and interior designer. Now she has her mind set on furthering her career by succeeding with the project to restore Angel’s Landing to its pre Civil War glory. She has put personal relationships on a back burner and besides... she has declared she would never marry a man from Haven Creek.

Nate moved away from Haven Creek when he was 15 after his mother died and his father quickly married her best friend and nurse. Nate lived with a beloved Aunt in California where he worked his way to success as a contractor before the real estate market died. Not only did Nate distrust his stepmother but he had an unsuccessful marriage to a high-profile and unfaithful model. Now, more than 15 years later, he has returned home to help his ailing father manage his local carpentry business and help to manage his 22 year old step brother who was heading for trouble.

Morgan had a crush on Nate as a young girl but he was older than she was and then he left town. She still finds him attractive but she is focused on engaging his carpentry skills for her project... not engaging his personal attentions. Nate had no intentions of ever marrying again but he wouldn’t mind some personal time with Morgan.

They begin to develop a friendship that leads to a working agreement and then more. The attraction between them is strong but they keep giving each other mixed messages about what their goals are when it comes to a personal relationship and future involvement.

I enjoyed the easy flow of this story and the strong characters. Morgan has to overcome her insecurities and be flexible to make room in her live for marriage and family as well as a career. Nate is really quite the gentleman and he just has to overcome his bad experience in order to see that he could love Morgan. It is a fun read to see if and when the two will admit their feelings before they lose the opportunity to have a future together.

This is all romance conflict with some sultry passion. It is a good choice especially for readers who like an easy, small town style, second time around, romance story.

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

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form. 

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

* This contest is open to those with US address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 19, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 20, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audible Book Review: Maelstrom:Destroyermen, Book 3 by Taylor Anderson

This is the third installment in this fascinating adventure series.
Maelstrom: Destroyermen, Book 3
     by Taylor Anderson
    Narrated by William Dufris

    UNABRIDGED
          Series: Destroyermen, Book 3
    LENGTH      17 hrs and 45 mins
    RELEASE DATE      03-25-09
    PUBLISHER      Tantor Audio
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of the U.S.S. Walker, are once again at war. Having sided with the peaceful Lemurians against the savage, reptilian Grik, they now find themselves scrambling to prepare for the attack that is sure to come, searching for resources to support their forces - even as they look for allies to join their struggle.
Meanwhile, the Japanese juggernaut Amagi, also trapped in this strange world, is under Grik control---with her fanatical commander approaching madness. And soon they will have amassed a force that no amount of firepower and technology will be able to stop.As the raging conflict approaches, Reddy, his crew, his allies, and his loved ones face annihilation. But if there is one thing they have learned about their new world, it is that hope - and help - may be just over the horizon.
©2008 Taylor Anderson; (P)2009 Tantor

Review:
Don’t let the slow start in this episode dissuade you - it just builds a basis for getting to know the characters and made me feel like part of the crew!

Two American destroyer ships, the USS Walker and Mahan, and a Japanese battle cruiser, the Amagi, were caught up in a storm and found themselves in an alternate version of the South Seas. Here the Americans have met a peaceful population of creatures resembling a mix of Lemure and a cat, called Lemurians and sometimes referred to as “Cats.”

For many years the Lemurians lived peaceably in the trees or large Tree ships. Now they are being pursued by a terrible race, the lizard-like Grik. The Grik do not just kill their enemies; they consume them. The Japanese warship Amagi and its power crazed commander having allied with the Grik to seek destruction against the Americans and the Lemurians.

The first half of this book fills in the backgrounds of the characters and events to bring a new reader up to date. There is a lot of behind the scenes details, building characters, setting the locations, revealing society positioning and strategy for the upcoming battles. Though it’s not exciting, still I found it very interesting. I liked even the geographical descriptions as a comparison between the alternate world and the world that the Americans came from. This story also introduces a few new characters, including some pre-American Revolution British officers who choose to remain outside of the alliance.

I had already like Captain Matthew Reddy and many of the crew members from the prior books. By the time the battle begins in the second half of this book I felt like I knew the American crew personally. When this book jumps into the battle action there is excitement, fear, horror, loss and sorrow. A couple times I actually found myself holding my hands over my face as I dealt with the emotions during the battle.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does a grand job of narrating that captures the nuances of the characters– good guys and bad guys– and the excitement of the battle. I get wrapped into the narration which to me signifies both a good story and a delivery that keeps the reader focused on the characters and action with no negative distractions from the reading.

I will be listening to Book 4 soon!  I recommend this series to those who enjoy adventure with alternate world, alternate species and some heavy battle action.

This is from my own Audible library.