Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 5, 2014

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

And there goes another busy week. :-) Sigh.  I hope everyone is doing really well and making good transition back to school or getting ready for fall events. 
I'll be pulling together another box for next week. 

[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 29 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 again.
rubynreba gets A Place Called home

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 29 Pick:
MaryP gets a GC

Anita gets Midnight Reign

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.}

Do you ever feel squirrelly when you're reading?

Image found at Wallpaperhi.

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 Lori 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 Group #19---(All gone)
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 704+ 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)

Audible Book Review: Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1 by B. V. Larson

This is an engaging, action packed sci fi and a fun listen!
Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
Written by: B. V. Larson
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
Series: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-03-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi, Military
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers…someone had to do their dirty work for them, their fighting and dying.
I, James McGill, was born in 2099 on the fringe of the galaxy. When Hegemony Financial denied my loan applications, I was kicked out of the university and I turned to the stars. My first campaign involved the invasion of a mineral-rich planet called Cancri-9, better known as Steel World. The attack didn't go well, and now Earth has entered a grim struggle for survival. Humanity's mercenary legions go to war in Steel World, best-selling author B. V. Larson's latest science fiction novel.
©2013 B. V. Larson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
James McGill, born in 2099, spent his growing years playing virtual reality games instead of concentrating on legitimate studies. When he loses his college loans he turns to the military as no other jobs are available. McGill has reasonable skills and thinks fast on his feet. In spite of the fact that he is able to think through several of the tests he is rejected by the first floor of recruiters due to his “attitude”. The doorman sends him to the basement where he is accepted by the Varus unit. This is a unit that is continually underseige and known to have been completely wiped out on more than one occassion. But what choice does he have?

McGill signs on as a”splat”, the name given the newest recruits who are considered expendable. Although it is expected they will all die, McGill manages to evade death time and time again.

In this future world each planet has come under the thumb of the Galatics. The only way a planet can survive is to trade its resources. The only resource that Earth brings to the market are the protection and fighting skills of its mercenary forces. Now those skills are being challenged by another planet who claims its mercenary units are better skilled. The Varus unit has been sent into Steel World to face the enemy and to determine if Earth can hold enough contracts to keep the planet in the trade system.

McGill and the other raw recruits are thrown into the battle with little training. They have some excellent commanders but also a few leaders who are obsessive “by-the-rules’ types. The battle leaders appreciate McGill’s ability to think outside of the box and to improvise but those skills make him a target for discipline and elimination by the rule-followers.

This is an engaging sci fi story with strange alien beings and good plot twists. There is a cast of rough characters, male and female, heros and villains. There’s a little bit of romance, a little bit of, sometimes macabre, humor, and lots of action. The first person story-telling by McGill keeps the story active and real from the perspective of an often irreverent twenty-two year old. Fortunately the author did not include excessive foul language.

The characters have good development and the bizarre conflict is sufficiently explained. There are some interesting observations on life and death but for the most part this is just fun, engaging entertainment. This is the first book I have ‘read’ by this author but it will not be the last. I have already picked up book two to listen to after some review audios are completed.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a wonderful job of narration. He is able to portray the personalities of the various characters through their voices and attitudes. He also delivers the story with steady pacing and energy. I recommend this as a fun, fast listen.

This title is from my own Audible library.

Book Review: Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel by Katie Reus

I enjoyed the strong action with second chance romance in spite of some annoying issues.

Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel

by Katie Reus

• File Size: 1792 KB
• Print Length: 346 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451419227
• Publisher: Signet (August 5, 2014)
• Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
• ASIN: B00HZ1E5UI

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Military Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
At a benefit dinner, community activist Maria Cervantes overhears two men plotting a terrorist attack that could rock Miami to its core. But before she can alert authorities, she’s almost killed in a massive explosion—and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened. As the sole survivor of the attack, she is now a person of interest to the NSA—and especially to Agent Cade O’Reilly. Because Maria is the one woman Cade has never been able to forget.

Years ago, they were closer than either was willing to admit—until Cade disappeared when Maria needed him most. Now he’s sticking by her, whether she likes it or not. Because the memories locked inside her mind could hold vital clues to the next attack. Because terrorists want her dead—and because he never wants to let her go again.

Review:
Maria Cervantis is part of a wealthy family of givers with Maria working in a local community program to help disadvantaged kids. Maria has been suffering from flu symptoms for a week but insists on attending a high society party to make an appearance for her board of directors. While finding her way from a private bathroom to return to her car Maria overhears three men, one being a voice she knows, planning terrorist attacks around Miami. Distressed and wretchedly ill, Maria stumbles outside to get fresh air and to get to her car so she can call someone to report what she has heard. Before she gets to the car the mansion blows sky high behind her. Stunned and thrown to the ground, Maria awakens to discover she is the sole survivor and, not only has her mother died in the explosion, but she has lost her memory of the evening's events.

Cade O’Rielly is a special forces agent working for the National Security Agency (NSA). He volunteers to determine what connection Maria might have to the bombing as he has a past history with Maria.  He was best friends with her brother while they served in Afghanistan together eight years before. Cade had started a friendship and tentative relationship with Maria until her brother died and Cade, filled with guilt, disconnected himself from her life.

Parts of this made good sense when Cade would focus on protecting Maria and not dash off after the terrorists which happens in some books/movies. There was also a good mix of potential suspects for the person Maria knew but wasn’t remembering. There were some good diversions, some irony and lots of good, fast paced action.

I mostly liked Cade as a character and sort of liked Maria. I think she was strong but the traumatic loss was pretty devastating. Her sorrow didn't keep her from wanting to jump all over Cade though and at one point my thoughts of her were pretty negative.  My objections are that midway I was really tired of the repetition: guilt for Cade, ‘sob, sob’ for Maria, but, ‘okay’ lets use steamy sex as a distraction. It was time to get over the “she was a mess” parts and move past the 'eye candy' and the guilt and get to acknowledging their feelings, then finishing the suspense of the story. I was glad when the author got to wrapping it up. Overall I enjoyed the action and romance in this story in spite of those issues. I would be willing to try another book by Ms. Reus.

I received this from the Publisher through NetGalley.

Mailbox Monday September 1, 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 audio review title this week.
I spent part of Saturday browsing Audible titles. I purchased two Kindle books to get two Audibles for low price then I picked up a total of five Audible titles. I also 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

Title: Dead Case in Deadwood: Deadwood Mysteries, Book 3 
Author: Ann Charles
Narrator: Caroline Shaffer  
Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 07/01/14
I just thought this looked like it would be fun.

Won

None

Purchased

It was time to pick my monthly Audible selections and I had a hard time deciding on which titles.
I picked up three sci fi audio titles and two favorite authors that I can rely on.
I purchased these two books in Kindle so I could pick them up at Audible for $1.99 each (it was less expensive this way).

$4.95
Dust World (Undying Mercenaries Series Book 2)
B. V. Larson
I enjoyed the first book so I decided to purchase the second book.

$2.99

StarFire (Vince Lombard Book 1)

Mike Lee

I had this title on Kindle already so I was able to get it at Audible for $1.99

Annihilation (Unabridged)
Saxon Andrew


These two I picked up with my monthly subscription credits.

Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12

J. D. Robb

Heroes Are My Weakness
Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Free

Plus I downloaded another 58 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? September 1, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Last week was a strange week with not too many appointments still it went by quickly. This week I have lots of hearings to cover.
Again I enjoyed my reading and listening  but I only finished two books, plus I am well into the third.  I only got two reviews posted. 
I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I only got to visit a few blogs early in the week and although I hoped to get back for more, that didn't happen.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? August 25, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday August 25, 2014.

• Book Review: Chieftain by Command by Frances Housden; Historical Romance, Scottish; my rating 4.0.  

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 29, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 9/4/14.

• Audio Book Review: Curve of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet; Memoir; my rating 5.0. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #166 Comment Giveaway 8/30/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 9/5/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 31, 2014.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel
by Katie Reus
I am 70% through this and enjoying this.
I received this from the Publisher through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3

Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
Written by: B. V. Larson
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
I decided to try this sci fi
and eagerly listened to all the action!
I will post a review this week.
Publisher's Summary
In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers…someone had to do their dirty work for them, their fighting and dying.
I, James McGill, was born in 2099 on the fringe of the galaxy. When Hegemony Financial denied my loan applications, I was kicked out of the university and I turned to the stars. My first campaign involved the invasion of a mineral-rich planet called Cancri-9, better known as Steel World. The attack didn't go well, and now Earth has entered a grim struggle for survival. Humanity's mercenary legions go to war in Steel World, best-selling author B. V. Larson's latest science fiction novel.
©2013 B. V. Larson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
Two print releases going through final adjustments before we link them up at the website.
Two more ebooks still out for galley proofs; to be released soon.

Currently reading:
1.  eBook/Kindle

The Traitor (Captive Hearts)
by Grace Burrowes 
I am at 88% in this enjoyable Regency.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/MP3

Dead Case in Deadwood: Deadwood Mystery, Book 3
Written by: Ann Charles
Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer
I selected this from AudioBook Jukebox 
because it looked fun even if it is a third book.
Publisher's Summary
"Nothing good ever happens at the butt-crack of dawn. No doubt, the headless corpse on the autopsy table in front of me would agree." – Violet Parker
Real estate agent Violet "Spooky" Parker stumbles upon a body-part theft ring at the local funeral parlor and suspects her caustic coworker has a hand in it - or maybe a foot. Can Violet discover what's in the crates that the crooks are sneaking out of the mortuary in the dark of night? Or will she end up in one of them herself - in pieces?
©2012 Ann Charles (P)2014 Made for Success

3. eBook/Kindle - Also Print

Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1)
Kaye Dacus
This is Ladies' Book Club reading for this Saturday 9/6.
I will start reading it on Monday.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 18, 2010
Every grandmother wants to see her grandchildren happy, especially when it comes to their love lives. Join five active senior ladies—and one gentleman—who take a great interest in the lives and loves of their single grandchildren and become The Matchmakers. Zarah Mitchell and Bobby Patterson become the first focus of meddling grandmothers when he moves back to Nashville to work for the Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit. Will Zarah be able to forgive the man who years ago chose a military career over her—especially when she learns he is investigating the historic preservation agency for which she works?

4. eBook/Kindle

Winter's Passage
by Julie Kagawa
I didn't get to this one yet.
Click on book title for full description.

I am still one day ahead on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits:
We are still finalizing formatting for four ebook re-releases, two fiction and two non-fiction. We are also working on releasing several novels in print.

I still have some books carried forward and I still hope to read at least one of my own TBRs this month. I completed three reviews last week and hope to post at least three this week.  

September Scheduled -
9/6 Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1) by Kaye Dacus

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Neverhome by Laird Hunt (Little, Brown and Company) 
The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (Random House)
Global Predator by Jack Maclean  (Legend Publishing)

Authors:
From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There is a Steampunk Bundle available now that looks interesting.
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
Requested new titles last week and received one so far.

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - Winter's Passage