Saturday Snapshot August 24, 2013 Felling Trees

I go to work and stay busy while my retired DH stays busy at home.
[Mmmm- I was so tired last night I forgot to publish this. Went to bed early before 10pm and feel better now.:-)]

I came home Wednesday to find this in the back yard: tree #1 down.
DH does things alone I wish he wouldn't.
He is still strong but work is harder and slower than when he was young.

Thursday he worked on the second tree-

Tree #2 lined up.

Tree #2 tied up/braced.

Tree #2 line tied to tractor.

Tree #2 down!

Some of the wood cut. 

Thanks to all who stop by and visit. Hopefully I will visit a little Saturday morning/evening.

A big Thank You to 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.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 23, 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!! Ohhh - so glad it is Friday.  I have had a strange, awkward week.  My DH made cruise plans for us and we were supposed to go in September. He had mistaken the dates and actually we are going a week earlier. I am scrambling to get work done, clothes cleaned and sorted, blog posts ready, etc., before we go. Yikes! Hope everyone else is enjoying the late summer days!

[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 August 16 Pick. There was only one Automatic win again 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 FIVE blocked titles!
bn100 gets the Elizabeth Lowell pair.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 16 Pick:

Elizabeth gets a GC 

Natasha gets Heart of the Storm

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.}

Do you ever feel underwater with books? :-)

Image found at Yukoart.

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Pairs:
Jude Deveraux
    Return to Summerhouse and Twin of Fire
Mariah Stewart
    Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Singles:
The Shadowed Heart by Nina Beaumont
Hannah by Lori Copeland
My Lady Midnight by Laurie Grant
Wicked and Wonderful by Valerie King
The Door to December by Dean Koontz
Heart of the Storm by Lindsay McKenna
Crucfixtion River by Marcia Muller & Bill Pronzini
Tabitha in Moonlight by Betty Neels
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Caught in a Bind by Gayle Roper
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

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 Sea 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:
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.
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Singles:
Timeline by Michael Crichton

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe



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

*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland



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


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 548+ books (I forgot to update this number for a month) 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: A Most Devilish Rogue by Ashlyn Macnamara

This is a warm story, rich in romance.
A Most Devilish Rogue
by Ashlyn Macnamara

• File Size: 1099 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (August 27, 2013)
• Sold by: Random House LLC
• ASIN: B00BO4GSVG

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Fans who adore Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries will savor Ashlyn Macnamara’s sensual new novel, which proves that two hearts are better than one.
Years ago, when Isabelle Mears was still a young miss too infatuated to know better, she surrendered her innocence to a dishonorable man. Though ruined and cast out from society, she has worked hard to shelter her illegitimate son, Jack. Having sworn off men in her quiet but dignified life, Isabelle is unprepared for the deep longing that rips through her when a handsome stranger rescues her rambunctious six-year-old from the pounding ocean surf.
George Upperton is a man in trouble with debts, women, and a meddling family. He is, by all accounts, the last gentleman on earth Isabelle should be drawn to. But loneliness is a hard mistress, and caution gives way to desire . . . even though Isabelle is convinced that happiness can’t be found in the arms of such a devilish rogue. Only when Jack is kidnapped does Isabelle discover the true depth of George’s devotion—and how far a good man will go to fight for the woman whose love is all that matters.

Review:
George Upperton appears at first to be a rather offensive aristocratic man who has built up debt through gambling and supporting a mistress with costly tastes. When his mistress announces bad news – she is pregnant – George escapes town to join his family at a country party of a good friend.  He hopes to find some friendly card games where he can win enough to bring his debts current, complete plans for a revenge he is seeking for a friend and make provisions for his ladybird. Meanwhile he has to dodge his mother who is pushing him towards a suitable marriage.

George strolls down to the beach just in time to rescue a young boy. Jack, a precocious lad of six, clings to George and decides that the waves and George are fun. Jack’s mother, Isabelle, is understandably distressed. She is grateful but wary considering her past experience with a man of ton who took advantage of her innocence leaving her pregnant, ruined and outcast by her family.

George and Isabelle are drawn to each other even though he doesn’t need complications in his life and she doesn’t need to be used or scorned by anyone new. She gets enough disdain even from the locals who look down their noses because of her circumstances.

When Isabelle gets a threatening note about Jack she ends up seeking George’s help to find the boy. Then Isabelle’s house servant/companion, Biggles, disappears the next day. George enlists the help of his male friends to try to find her son. At first Isabelle is welcomed into the manor house until her own haughty cousin steps in the room and proclaims her shame.

Most of the town see George as he describes himself: “A simple man who plays too deep, drinks too much, and enjoys too many ladies outside the bonds of marriage.” (Location 3299.)  But Isabelle sees beyond the shallow facade to the man of sensitivity, gentleness and kindness.

I didn’t like George at first but as his sensitive nature was revealed he became much more likeable. I did like Isabelle, especially for her strength in the face of being outcast to raise her son with little help. I liked the rich warmth of the story and the kidnapping plot. However I was a little disappointed that the kidnapping occurs and then the majority of the book proceeds to share the developing romance and passion between George and Isabelle. It seemed quite a long time before the hunt for Jack and Biggles led anywhere.

I had issues with playing the piano at midnight and not disturbing anyone in the manor. Also I felt like there were unanswered questions with Isabelle’s relationship with her father. Even with these issues I did enjoy the book. I would only wish for less focus on the sensual romance and more on the substantive plot. But for readers who love a sensual romance - this should fill that craving very nicely.

I received this for an honest review for Random House and the author as part of a Blog Tour. Please see Author Guest Post and Giveaway for more about the book and a chance to win.

A Few Words on Gambling - Guest Post by Ashlyn Macnamara with GIVEAWAY!

I don’t know whether England possessed an official national sport during the Regency period, but I would argue if it did, that sport was gambling. The betting books in gentleman’s clubs such as White’s hold the evidence of wagers on anything from raindrop races to whether a certain couple might wed at the end of the season. They wagered on cock fights, horse races, and boxing matches. Even such seemingly staid venues as balls and Almack’s were incomplete without their card rooms—where entire fortunes might be won and lost.

The compulsion to lay a sporting wager or two wasn’t restricted to the men, either. No one thought anything of a lady sitting down to a respectable game of whist.

But the real gamblers haunted gaming hells. While White’s and Brook’s and Boodles all had card rooms, such clubs mainly served as an exclusive spot for men of the upper class to gather and discuss various issues of the day. Gaming hells were more like a casino, and they existed to relieve a man (or a woman, although I can’t imagine any respectable woman haunting such a place) of his blunt.

A time-traveller from our era might even recognize some of the games of the day. Played with dice, hazard was a forerunner of craps. The object of vingt-et-un was to see which player could come closest to twenty-one without going over—just like the game we call blackjack. Roulette has existed since the 18th century or earlier—physicist Blaise Pascal accidentally invented the roulette wheel in his search for a perpetual motion machine. Contract bridge traces its roots, in part, to a less complicated game called whist.

One of the more famous of these establishments was Crockford’s. Founded in 1793 on St. James street among the other gentlemen’s clubs, its true raison d’être was to separate wealthy young bucks from their allowances. At its height, the club was the most famous gaming house in Europe in spite of—or perhaps due to—a reputation for boisterousness. The casino’s eponymous owner invented the principal that the house always wins, which allowed him to amass a vast personal fortune, enough to rise from his working class roots to own more than one home, including one in fashionable Mayfair.

And what of the poor members of the aristocracy he fleeced? A gentleman considered his markers debts of honor—and accordingly paid them off before he paid tradesmen such as his tailor.

Now you may ask yourself what any of this has to do with my upcoming release,  A Most Devilish Rogue. As you might imagine, a gentleman with roguish qualities might well find himself within a gaming establishment within the course of a story. He may even land himself in a spot of trouble. To find out how this comes about, you may want to read the book. Here is the blurb:

Years ago, when Isabelle Mears was still a young miss too infatuated to know better, she surrendered her innocence to a dishonorable man. Though ruined and cast out from society, she has worked hard to shelter her illegitimate son, Jack. Having sworn off men in her quiet but dignified life, Isabelle is unprepared for the deep longing that rips through her when a handsome stranger rescues her rambunctious six-year-old from the pounding ocean surf.

George Upperton is a man in trouble with debts, women, and a meddling family. He is, by all accounts, the last gentleman on earth Isabelle should be drawn to. But loneliness is a hard mistress, and caution gives way to desire . . . even though Isabelle is convinced that happiness can’t be found in the arms of such a devilish rogue. Only when Jack is kidnapped does Isabelle discover the true depth of George’s devotion—and how far a good man will go to fight for the woman whose love is all that matters.

In the meantime, plenty of other romance heroes have found themselves in a similar situation. Others have even owned the casinos. Tell me about your favorites in the comments.

Ashlyn Macnamara writes Regency romances with a dash of wit and a hint of wicked. She considers this writing gig her midlife crisis, but figures it’s less risky than rock climbing or skydiving. When not writing, she looks for other excuses to neglect the housework, among them knitting, reading and wasting time on the internet in the guise of doing research. Despite her insistence on looking toward the past, she can be found on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. She also likes to play at being a Duchess from time to time.

 A Most Devilish Rogue                       

Ballantine Books * Coming August 27, 2013

ISBN-10: 034553476X  * ISBN-13: 978-0345534767

Paperback:

Please watch for my review which will be posted mid-day on Thursday, August 22.

GIVEAWAY!

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Audible Book Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

This is a different, thought provoking, dystopia.

The Giver
UNABRIDGED
    by Lois Lowry

    Narrated by Ron Rifkin
        Series: Giver Quartet, Book 1
    LENGTH    4 hrs and 41 mins
    RELEASE DATE    11-07-03
    PUBLISHER    Listening Library

Genre: Dystopia
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
December is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each twelve-year-old receives a life assignment determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation. But Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an unnamed man, the man called only the Giver, he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.

Told with deceptive simplicity, this is the provocative story of a boy who experiences something incredible and undertakes something impossible. In the telling it questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs.
©1993 Lois Lowry; (P)1993 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint Of Random House Audio Publishing Group.

Review:
Jonas is an eleven year old about to go through the annual Ceremony for twelve-year-olds to be assigned their role or job in the community. The adults have watched and monitored the youth to determine their best placing. Jonas realizes that his friends, Fiona and Asher, have been assigned jobs appropriate to their personalities and desires. Fiona, a caring young girl, will be trained to become a Caretaker of the Old, helping the elderly with bathing, dressing and daily living until they are released in a joyous celebration. The release celebration is believed to mean that they are moved onto another community across the river.

Jonas’ active friend Asher is assigned to train in the department of Recreation which Jonas sees as well suited. But what position will Jonas be assigned? To his surprise he is initially passed over and then proclaimed to train to be a keeper of memory. This is a greatly honored position which pulls him away and apart for everyone else, including his family. He finds himself being trained by a man called The Giver. This aged man holds all the memories of the past, including all the nuances of emotions–from pain to joy and love. He has the wisdom to help the leaders of the community to make decisions to avoid the mistakes of the past. But none of this information can be shared with others so The Giver leads a pretty solitary life.

When Jonas begins to share the burden of The Giver he learns of happiness and love but also pain and grief . He realizes certain lies that control his family and community. As he questions The Giver on the rightness of the system they begin to plot a means to force change on the community.

This story is set in a (presumably) future time when certain communities have settled around a system of control that is based on “sameness”. Personal emotions have been limited and controlled by trained (manipulated) family and educational teaching along with imposed medication that apparently suppresses natural emotions. Personal choice doesn’t exist.

I found myself captivated by the idea of the story and was eager to know what would happen as Jonas began to see and experience a fuller life of color and feelings. Would the emotions of love, joy and freedom overcome the trauma of physical pain and grief? That seems to be the real issue of the story and it makes you think about the value of free choice.

This is the first of several (four I think) books in the series. This ends at a point that leaves the reader to wonder what will happen to Jonas and the community. I will seek out the next book to see where it goes.

Audio Notes: I had some issues early in the book with the whininess of the narrator, especially for the younger characters like Jonas and his younger sister. As I began to accept that this might be fitting for the characters I relaxed into the listening. After that I was able to focus on the storyline and for the most part enjoyed the reading. I recommend listening to a sample before you decide to purchase as an Audiobook.

I read this from my own Audible Library TBR files.