Book Review and Giveaway: Falling to Pieces, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series #1 by: Vannetta Chapman

This is a very nice gentle mystery.
Falling to Pieces, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series #1
by: Vannetta Chapman

• Series: A Shipshewana Amish Mystery
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 26, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0310330432
• Genre: Amish Fiction, Mystery
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
When two women-one Amish, one English-each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer.

Review:
Deborah is a sweet and strong Amish wife, mother and friend. She is concerned for her two best friends, Melinda who has a very sick child, and Esther, who is grieving after the death of her husband. The three have been making beautiful quilts which they sell through Daisy’s Quilt Shop, which was run by Daisy, an Englisher who had become an accepted part of the community. But Deborah found Daisy dead in her garden and now the shop is owned by Daisy’s niece, Callie.

Callie left her job in Texas and is struggling with depression. She expects to sell the quilt shop and move on but until then she is hunkering down in the apartment above the shop. Callie inherited Max, a faithful Labrador, along with the shop and although a bit of a nuisance he is also turning out to be a good companion.

Deborah and Callie form a tentative friendship when Deborah talks Callie into opening the shop and into selling their recent quilts on eBay. The news editor in town accuses Callie of taking advantage of the Amish even though that is untrue. Callie argues with the man when she demands a retraction and now Callie is under suspicion for his murder. Deborah and her friends take a strong stand to support their new friend, Callie.

Officer Black is the investigator who pushes witnesses until he uncovers the facts and gets his man, or woman. Esther and her friends have had experience with Black when he pushed in the investigation of her husband’s death. Although Officer Black seems really rough, he has a good heart.

The Amish and Englisher characters and relationships are very lovely. The added element of a good mystery makes this a really enjoyable story. I also liked the nuggets of gentle faith and wisdom shared through the real life circumstances. The writing is straight forward making it an easy read.  All of the ladies from book club enjoyed this too and we would be glad to read more by this author. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys Amish stories and also to those who like a good mystery.

I picked these books up at a bargain price at Christianbook.com for our ladies' book club selection for June.

Giveaway:

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my gently read Print 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 comment on the review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for print book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 20, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after July 20, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audio Book Review: Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge

This is a charming story for middle grade, young adults or adults who might enjoy a nostalgic view of boyish mishaps.

JENNINGS BOOKS: JENNINGS DIARY (1953)
Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge
read by Simon Vance

Audio Book Length:  4 Hrs 28 Min
# of Audio CD's:  4
# of MP3 CD's:  1
Audio CD ISBN:  978-1-926910-35-2

In this audiobook - it is the Easter term at Linbury Court School and Jennings has been promised five pounds by his aunt if he keeps up his diary every day. When he and Darbishire devise a code for entries, things really start to happen - the nasty incident of Wilkins's mark book is only one of them.

Review:
Jennings is a young English boy away at boarding school for the Easter term. His Aunt gave him a diary for Christmas and promised him five pounds if he writes in the diary each day. When he returned to school one of his classmates found the diary and began teasing him. Jennings entries are rather dull and common-place, tending towards his routines, “ate breakfast”, or the weather with those entries looking a lot like: “hot toddy” instead of “hot today”.

After rescuing his book he decides to write in code in case it gets taken again. Now the entries look like: "Hah-ooh cinosrepus! 'Selbanev, Nosnikta, Senoj-Nitram,'..." Jennings makes an innocent entry about his sometimes impatient forms teacher, Mr. Wilkins, known as Old Wilkie. Mr. Wilkins sees the entry that reads something like ‘Wilkie - lost link’ and takes it as an insult setting the two at odds.

Jennings records his attempts to start a museum with all the ‘treasures’ that young boys are apt to find. He and his best friend, Darbershire, sneak off one day in search of a gift for the school nurse who has been kind to Jennings. One misstep leads to another but the resulting gift giving and confusion is really quite sweet.

Jennings and Darbishire find a genuine fake Roman carriage wheel which causes no small trouble with Old Wilkie and the boys’ museum. The cumbersome wheel assemblage becomes even more of a problem as the boys try to take it to the curator of the Dunhambury Museum.

At one point Old Wilkie confiscates the diary but lends it back to Jennings a few weeks later so that he can transfer the entries from his notebook. Jennings goes through a bad day when he thinks he has lost the diary. Not only will he have to face Old Wilkie when he can’t return the book, but he is afraid the police will find it and think it is about Russian spies due to the nature of his code.

The story is a very charming view of the mischief of young boys in a gentler setting than today’s world. The convoluted, though often innocent, thinking and actions of Jennings makes for awkward and funny situations.

I hope to share it with my own 10 year old grandson. It is not fast action and adventure as we think of them today but it is action and adventure for young boys in a historic time setting.

Audio Notes: I have to state that I would probably enjoy any audio read by Simon Vance. Vance is a consummate narrator who manages to share multiple voices and personalities in his smooth British accent. He does a wonderful job with the school boys, the teachers and headmaster, moving from one to the next so that you can picture the whole scene. This is a book I would probably not pick up in print but found great enjoyment listening to. I am looking forward to listening to more of Jennings’ adventures as shared through Vance’s magical presentation.

I received this audiobook from Post Hypnotic Press Books for review.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 11, 2014

[** 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 - again. I am fading fast tonight. Boy these weeks seem to be flying by. 
I do apologize that I haven't listed the new books yet. I know some of you are picking from the picture which is good. I didn't get time on the past two Saturdays with family visits. I'll have to try to remember this Saturday. ** Books listed now.**

[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 4 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 was one title blocked and won.
Rubynreba gets On the Edge

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 4 Pick:
Sue F gets The Grey Beginning

Booklady gets Underfoot (through a block)

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

Well - it could be any season and I'd still say "Give me books!"

Image found at Village Books and Paper Dreams

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014
Pic is up - list to be input later

PAIRS:
Sandra Brown:  The Thrill of Victory and Temperatures Rising
Beverly Barton: The Last to Die and Raintree: Sanctuary
SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
Savage Thunder by Cassie Edwards
Miracle by Deborah Smith
Desperate Alliances by Cory Daniells
Never Walk Alone by Paula Detmer Riggs
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Running Blind by Lee Child
Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway
The Grey Beginning by Barbara Michaels
The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014

PAIRS:
Karen Haper:  Black Orchid (spine creases) and Shaker Run
Elizabeth Lowell: Fever and The Color of Death
SINGLES:
After Dark by Phillip Margolin Audio Tapes
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology
Full Bloom by Jayne Ann Krentz
Mesmerized by Gayle Lynds
On the Edge by Susan Kearney
Safe by His Side by Linda Conrad
Son of the Sword by J. Ardian Lee
Spring Fancy by LaVyrle Spenser
Tangled Lives by Margot Dalton
Trial by Fire by Jo Davis
Underfoot by Leanne Banks


New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

PAIRS:
Catherine Palmer: Prairie Rose and A Whisper of Danger
Stephanie Laurens: A Lady of His Own (spine creases) and Impetuous Innocent
SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy



New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

PAIRS:
   Virginia Henley - Notorious and Insatiable
   Debbie Macomber - Navy Woman and This Matter of Marriage
SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
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.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

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

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

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
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---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes

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 on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

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 682+ 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
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
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---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review: Inn at Last Chance by Hope Ramsay

This is a sweet, entertaining romance with a ghostly element.
Inn at Last Chance
by Hope Ramsay

• File Size: 1207 KB
• Print Length: 365 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455522317
• Publisher: Forever (April 29, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00ECEA30M

Genre: Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Element
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 29, 2014
"Last Chance captures the essence of Southern charm and quirkiness. I'm totally captivated!" --- Sherryl Woods, New York Times bestselling author
Jenny Carpenter is the unrivaled pie-baking champion of Last Chance, South Carolina's annual Watermelon Festival and the town's unofficial spinster. With her dream of marriage and children on hold, she focuses on another dream, turning the local haunted house into a charming bed-and-breakfast. But her plans go off course when the home's former owner shows up on her doorstep on a dark and stormy night . . .

Mega-bestselling horror writer Gabriel Raintree is as mysterious and tortured as his heroes. His family's long-deserted mansion is just the inspiration he needs to finish his latest twisted tale, or so he thinks until he learns it's been sold. The new innkeeper proves to be as determined as she is kind, and soon Gabriel finds himself a paying guest in his own home. As Jenny and Gabe bring new passion to the old house, can she convince him to leave the ghosts of his past behind-and make Last Chance their first choice for a future together?

Review:
Things haven’t worked out in the romance department for Jenny so she has sworn off men.  Instead she has turned her efforts to getting her Inn ready to open. She is waiting for furniture and accessories. Instead she finds an large, stray dog in her yard. Then Gabriel Raintree shows up on a dark, stormy night seeking a room. He tries to buy the property back from her and she sends him packing.

Gabe doesn’t want to stay in the rundown motel in town. He is convinced that his writer’s block will be solved if he can only stay in his old childhood home. Gabe gets his wish to stay at the Inn when the library committee convinces Jenny to allow him a room in exchange for him speaking at a fundraiser.

Gabe lost his older brother, Luke, in a shooting accident when Gabe was just a young boy. He doesn’t remember much about the incident but holds anger towards Zeph who claimed blame for the accident. Gabe doesn’t understand why Zeph keeps warning him away from the house. The new dog adopts Gabe who dubs him “Bear” because he looks just like Luke’s dog.

A strange force at the Inn starts to cause mischief, first for Jenny then Gabe. The energy reacts badly when the new preacher in town comes for dinner. Jenny is glad for the chance to impress someone with her cooking since Gabe has refused to eat any of the pastries she makes each morning. Jenny is determined not to let a ghost defeat her dreams. Meanwhile the ghostly presence is helping Gabe with his writing. But the towns folk are questioning Jenny’s behavior and whether Gabe is violent.

Jenny and Gabe fight their attraction to each other for their own reasons. Jenny is afraid of being hurt and rejected again. Gabe has secrets that keep him from becoming involved and from being honest about his circumstances. Still the attraction grows and they are drawn even closer until danger threatens and Gabe’s secrets are revealed.

Can Gabe overcome his past to find a future? Will Jenny get to have her dreams fulfilled? This is worth the reading to find out. The writing moves smoothly and the small, Southern town setting makes it cozy and warm. I liked the tension between Jenny and Gabe which is enhanced by the mystery of the ghost. The long denied, gentle relationship between Zeph and Nita adds to the story, as does the dog character. This is a sweet, engaging series but this story could be a stand alone read with no trouble.

I received this title from the publisher, through NetGalley, for an honest review.

You can find my other reviews from the Last Chance series at THIS LINK.

Winners for Giveaways June 14 Through July 5, 2014

Giveaway Ended July 5, 2014

Audio Book Giveaway June 2014

WINNER #1:  KIKI - Audio choice up to $30.00
WINNER #2: SHANNON  - Select an audiobook from the boxes in the Giveaway



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

Giveaway Ended July 2, 2014

Print Giveaway: 
The Trouble with Harry by Katie MacAlister

WINNER: LORI H






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

Giveaway Ended June 23, 2014

Print Giveaway: The Crossing, Last Cavaliers Series #1 by Gilbert Morris

WINNER: DEBBIE D.





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

Giveaways Ended June 14, 2014

Print Giveaway: The Windflower by Laura London

WINNER: TEXAS BOOK LOVER








ALL WINNERS: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form AND if you want you can email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)]