Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 8, 2014

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

Another week zips by...staying busy!
I remembered late Thursday to pull together another box of books -box #50! I'm so glad to share these books with others who really want them. :-)

[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 1 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 two titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 1 Pick:
ElizabethL gets a GC

Rubynreba gets Hawke's Harbor

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.}

Happy National Book Lovers Day -- August 9!

Image found at Printable Calendar.

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

PAIRS:
William J. Coughlin: The Court and The Judgment
Phyllis J. Whitney: The Ebony Swan and Woman Without a Past
SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
So Hard to Forget by Evelyn Crowe
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
Whirlwind Affair by Jacquie D'Allessandro
Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 
ChiefTain by Nan Ryan
A Place Called Home by Loir Wick
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

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

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

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

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

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:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

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 692+ 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 and Giveaway: The Lady's Maid (Prairie Dreams) by Susan Page Davis

This is an entertaining story of two British women joining a wagon train across the United States.

The Lady's Maid (Prairie Dreams)
by Susan Page Davis

• Series: Prairie Dreams (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc. (October 1, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 161626439X
• Genre:  Historical Romance, Christian
• My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2011
Travel along with Elise Finster and her British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, as they search for the new but missing earl of Stoneford. Determined to follow David Stone’s somewhat cold trail leading to Oregon, greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train. Will the ladies succeed in their quest or succumb to the malfeasance of the mysterious man dogging their heels? Scout Eb Bentley’s initial disgust with these ill-prepared women eventually turns into admiration for one lady in particular. Can he protect her long enough to win her over, or will prairie dreams turn into a Wild West nightmare?

Review:
Elise Finster was only sixteen when she entered domestic service as a parlor maid. Twenty-two years later she is dedicated as Lady’s Maid to twenty-year old Lady Anne, whose father has died. Lady Anne’s uncle, David Stone, is the next Earl and heir but he is in America and hasn’t been heard from for ten years. The estate remains in limbo and Lady Anne has no funds to support the family home. If there is proof that David is dead then the estate and title pass to a less friendly cousin.

Anne and Elise set off to America determined to find Uncle David.  They manage to overcome sickness during the ocean voyage, then travel by train from New York to St. Louis. Elise suspects there is a man following them but she can’t pin him down. Elise and Anne believe that David went west on a wagon train. They resolve to travel after him even though it is a totally alien world to them. They are already traveling as companions instead of Lady and servant so others will not mock them.

Elise and Anne meet Rob and Eb, the trail master and scout for the first wagon train heading west. The rule is that women cannot travel without a man to help them drive their team and do other chores. The ladies hire Thomas, a man who poses as one recommended by Eb but who has been spying on them for the man who followed them from New York. Eb is particularly unsure if Elise and Anne can make the trip but slowly they modify their attire and learn how to cope on the trail. They learn to cook and handle the team of mules under the protective eye of Rob and especially Eb, a widower, who has developed a quiet interest in Elise.

The story contains wonderful details of life on a wagon train and it was particularly interesting to have the British women as a focal point in that journey. The ladies show determination and grace in dealing with each new ‘adventure’, danger and obstacle they face. Elise finds herself in a personal dilemma as she is committed to her promise to help Anne find her Uncle but she has fallen for Eb and can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a husband and home of her own. There is a bit of a mystery remaining at the conclusion of this book which leads to the second book in the series.

I enjoyed the old-fashioned nature of the story, including the protective attitudes of the men (fitting for the time period) and the support and friendships among the pioneer families. There is an underlying faith that helps different characters although the author also presents scenes that show how jealousy, anger and fear can twist men and women who proclaim to be Christian. The book is well researched and written. The book club ladies all agreed that it was an entertaining and easy read.

I purchased and read this for my Ladies’ Book Club for 8/2/14.

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 US Only for Print Book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) August 17, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 17, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Son of War, Daughter of Chaos by Janette Rallison

This is great reading entertainment with a conflicted YA love triangle in a different plotline.
Son of War, Daughter of Chaos
by Janette Rallison

• File Size: 1340 KB
• Print Length: 327 pages
• Publisher: Janette Rallison (July 2, 2014)
• ASIN: B00LHFO9V8

Genre: YA Fantasy, Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 2, 2014
Aislynn is accustomed to watching for the enemy. Her parents instructed her from the time she was young to look for people with the signs: greater than normal strength, eyes that can glow green, and the ability to jump long distances. Over the years, Aislynn has come to view her parents’ fears as quirks—things that get in the way of having a normal high school life.

When Aislynn’s mother dies under suspicious conditions, her father doubles his restrictions. But all his precautions can’t stop the boy with glowing green eyes from finding Aislynn. She realizes too late she’s been drafted into an ancient Egyptian war, whether she’s prepared or not.

Review:
Aislynn’s family has moved often to stay ahead of “the bad guys” she thinks might be hunting her eccentric, relic hunting, father. Aislynn is aware that some of her father’s work may be shady but she has no idea of the full extent of the family secrets until her teenage crush leads to exposure.

Dane is a gorgeous teen who is friends with Aislynn’s older brother, Randolf. Dane knows that he and his kind are the ancient enemies of Aislynn’s father and brother. Dane has a specific goal and has no intention of falling for Aislynn. He tries to avoid her but her beauty, brains and sweet innocence pull his attention.

Aislynn is thrilled when Dane seems interested in her. Her family has warned her to beware of people whose heartbeat is slower and who have green eyes. She thinks they are overprotective until Dane drugs her and she awakens to find him, with glowing green eyes, searching her brother’s room. Aislynn is quick to realize that with love comes betrayal and disillusion.

Aislynn, her father and brother flee in the usual pattern to a safe place in the Arctic. This time the enemy finds them and the camp is attacked by flesh eating scarabs. While struggling to survive and get to another safe home in Boston, Aislynn slowly learns some of her family background including that her mother and father are from different clans so Aislynn might have powers from both warring sides. When she arrives in Boston she learns some shocking news about her brother and new friends that puts her into a moral quandary.

Aislynn is resentful to learn that her father has made arrangements for her to meet and hopefully marry Jack, the young son of the Boston family that gives them refuge. Of course this is just one more thing her father didn’t get around to explaining. It is hard to resist Jack who is handsome, warm, charming, and attentive to a vulnerable girl.

But Dane is still on her trail and it isn’t clear if he wants to kill her or win her over to his side. She doesn’t want to be in a battle where those she loves are trying to kill each other but it doesn’t look like they will let her live a ‘normal’ life. What sacrifices might she make to protect those she loves?

I liked Aislynn’s smart character even though she is woefully naive and has been clearly allowed to fumble along without vital knowledge of her family background. I was impressed with the mythical ties and unique plot built around the clans.  Ms. Rallison uses wonderful detail to keep the history and characters consistent. There is plenty of action that keeps the story moving at a good pace. The writing is brisk and the story reads quickly. I was anxious to keep reading to discover how Aislynn would cope with each new secret and danger she faced.

I received this title for an honest review on blog tour. 

Blog Tour Schedule

Excerpt:

      An Egyptian tomb is only a good place to die if you happen to be the pharaoh for whom it was built. And maybe not even then. I didn’t intend to room with any of the deceased, which meant the sooner I got out of this place the better.     My flashlight swept over the figures on the mural in front of me. A feeling of danger and expectation clung to everything here, as thick as the dust. On the mural, a warrior with bright green eyes stared back at me. Horusian glowing eyes. I could almost see the smugness in his expression, an expression that said he was coming for me. Or at least his kind were.     Behind me, something creaked. Footsteps.

Author Janette Rallison

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/24/14

Also see BookBlast $50.00 Giveaway at THIS LINK.

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Audio Book Review: Lightning Fall, A Novel of Disaster by Bill Quick

This is an intensely realistic view of the disasters that could occur after an EMP strike on the United States.

Lightning Fall, A Novel of Disaster

Author: Bill Quick

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Runtime: 18.2 Hours

Release date: 4.29.2014

Publisher: Blackstone Audio

ISBN-13: 978-1-4830-2036-5

Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 04/29/14
Summary
Three terrorist attacks are launched from freighters against the United States. Only one fully succeeds, but in the blink of an eye all of the country west of the Rocky Mountains is transformed into the technological equivalent of the eighteenth century—no electricity, no computers, no electronics of any kind, or any of the amenities of modern life that depend on them. This is the story of ordinary and extraordinary people, high and low, who struggle to survive in a mortally wounded nation, as America’s enemies within and without circle for the kill.
A Latino gangbanger becomes mayor of a devastated Los Angeles; a gay survivalist fights for his life in San Francisco; an ordinary Indiana housewife and her three children struggle to keep their lives together in a crashing economy; a shrimp fisherman in Louisiana watches a mushroom cloud rise over New Orleans; the admiral in charge of the military defense of the nation faces a storm of enemies from every corner of the compass; and the president of the United States and the Speaker of the House of Representatives battle for supremacy as the lives of sixty million Americans hang in the balance.
Lightning Fall tells a story of terror, tragedy, and triumph that you will never forget.
© 2014 by Bill Quick

Review:
My first review draft was my normal style of setting forth the characters and the plot line. Then I summarized a little about the writing style and what I liked and didn’t like. Unfortunately the review exceeded 600 words before adding my Audio notes. This is a second attempt to review in a more simplified fashion.

The story deals with the disastrous consequences of terrorist attacks which include an EMP (electro magnetic pulse) strike over California and a plutonium bomb at New Orleans.   The story follows at least eight sets of characters to show the impact on people and families in different parts of the country. There are those directly impacted and others who are effected by the resulting societal breakdown and governmental decisions. The work is well researched and the author supplies extensive detail that presents very plausible scenarios of the troubles the country might face, including lack of electricity and food, desperation, vandalism, greed, foreign threats and internal political power struggles.

The author attempts to address many issues in one book which makes it lengthy, though still engaging. The primary characters include a gay couple in San Francisco where Tom has made extensive preparations for survival so that he can protect himself and his life partner, Raymond. This couple is portrayed in a favorable tone while another set of characters consisting of a female President and her husband who was a former President, are presented with scorn. The portrayal is of a power hungry woman who is more concerned with maintaining party supremacy than the welfare of the people.  She struggles to maintain control while sometimes accepting advise from her politically astute, conniving, ruthless and immoral husband.

Other characters are set in circumstances that reveal moral dilemmas people face in the collapse of social systems we are accustomed to.  A common question is ‘how far will people go to protect themselves and defend their property and territory’? When do you lend a hand and when do you bar the door?

This is a world where presumed friends may be enemies and people who would once have been considered enemies become allies.  The rough leaders are full of foul language which isn’t so pleasant but is (sadly) realistic.

The author probably covers more than needed in one book. Although he does a petty good job of  juggling all of the character lines, there are still many loose threads at the end. There is plenty in the book that could offend different readers.  Still I was engaged and entertained by this story and I recommend it to readers who enjoy good EMP strike stories.

Audio Notes:  Johnny Heller does a good job of narrating this story which is somewhat cumbersome by reason of the multiple characters and scenarios shifting back and forth. Heller's voice has a different sound with good energy that worked to keep this moving. The audiobook worked better for me than a print book as the length is not so daunting when I get to listen to the story.

I received this download from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox.

Mailbox Monday August 4, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received one review book, purchased one book for Book Club and one Kindle $.99 title.
Plus I downloaded the two free SYNC audios and picked up many free kindle titles.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I accepted this title for review by September 1

from Escape Publishing/eHarlequin

Chieftain By Command (Chieftain Series Book 2)

by Frances Housden

Scottish Middle Ages 

Won

None

Purchased

I have this book in print for Ladies Book Club reading this month but I downloaded my copy on Kindle.

Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1)
Kaye Dacus

A mix of romance and suspense - Sounds like fun.







I purchased just one Kindle title at .99 cent this week.

Nowhere for Christmas
Heather Gray
Anything can happen on the road to Nowhere…
This sounded like a "Hallmark" type Christmas story and it caught my eye.

Free

I got this week's duo from SYNC YA  where we find "Civil Unrest":

Divided We Fall 
by Trent Reedy
When the Guard is called up on the governor's orders to police a protest, it seems like a routine crowd-control mission … but then Danny's gun misfires.

The Red Badge of Courage
by Stephen Crane
This one is a well-known classic. The audio is supposed to be very good.
Young Henry Fleming used to play soldier and dream of being a hero, but when he faces his first battle — the Battle of Chancellorsville — he finds that heroism is not what he expected.

Plus I downloaded only 50 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.