Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 12, 2014

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

This has been a long week. I've been up early four out of five days to travel to court. I'm starting to plan for vacation!  There is a new box of books listed - I'll take a picture on Saturday.

[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 September 5 Pick. There was one automatic win this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There were two titles blocked and one was won.
Sue F gets Running Blind

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 5 Pick:
Linda gets a GC
Di gets Whirlwind Affair (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.}
Books are knowledge - Yes!
Image found at Zastavki.com

New Book Group #51! September 12, 2014
(No picture yet but here is the list)
PAIRS:
Elysa Hendricks, Star Crash (personally autographed copy) and The Sword and the Pen
Anne Stuart, Hidden Honor and The Devil’s Waltz
SINGLES:
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
The Reckoning by Jeanette Baker
Taylor's Temptation by Suzanne Brockmann
A Painted House A Novel by John Grisham 
Scandalous Virtue Mass by Brenda Hiatt 
Viking Heat by Sandra Hill 
Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie and Gennaro Book 2) by Dennis Lehane
Missing Susan by Sharyn Mccrumb
Pandora's Clock by John J. Nance - AUDIO CASSETTES
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
The Short Forever (Stone Barrington Novels Book 8) by Stuart Woods - AUDIO CASSETTES


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


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

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 706+ 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)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Book Review: The Traitor (Captive Hearts) by Grace Burrowes

This Regency romance raises questions of betrayal when loyalties become blurred and difficult during war.
by Grace Burrowes 
  • File Size: 1310 KB
  • Print Length: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 5, 2014)
  • ASIN: B00HUTVG70
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
My Rating: 4.25


Book Description
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes delivers a passionate, danger-filled Regency romance...
The past will overtake him...
Abandoned in France since boyhood, despite being heir to an English barony, Sebastian St. Clair makes impossible choices to survive a tour of duty in the French Army. He returns to England hoping for the peaceful life of a country gentleman, though old enemies insist on challenging him on the field of honor, one after another.

But this time, he will not fight alone...
Millicent Danforth desperately needs her position as companion to the Traitor Baron's aunt, but grieves to learn that Sebastian must continually fight a war long over. As Sebastian and Milly explore their growing passion, they uncover a plot that will cost Sebastian his life and his honor, unless he does battle once more-this time in the name of love.


Review:
Millie has become a companion to Lady Frederica in order to get away from her own cousins who would use her as a servant or marry her off to a man she doesn’t enjoy. Lady Frederica is a fierce, eccentric and determined woman who loves her nephew, the ‘Traitor’ Baron, Sebastian St. Clair.

Sebastian has had a difficult life. As a young English lad he was taken by his parents to visit France and remained there with his mother when the truce ended. He was abandoned to be raised by his French grandparents when his mother died. During the war he found himself in the position of an inquisitor, interrogating captive British officers. Rather than have the officers killed at the torturous hands of his superior, Sebastian found painfully creative methods of obtaining secrets and managed to arrange for their ransom to freedom.

Now that Sebastian has returned to the company of his aunt and his lands in England, he finds he has no peace and his life is in danger. He is continually challenged by British officers who scorn him as the “Traitor” Baron.

As a man who tends to view the world in terms of military strategy, Sebastian finds Millie to be a breath of fresh air. He recognizes that she too has had a lonely childhood and a difficult secret. He patiently helps her face her problem but he dare not pursue a relationship with her considering the guilt and dangers from his past.

Millie is willing to help Sebastian face his own dark nightmares but she believes she is unworthy to be his Baroness, even if he was willing to consider a relationship. After all, what nobleman would want an uneducated woman as a wife?

I loved the flawed and vulnerable characters of Millie and Sebastian and I loved how they helped each other find their own strengths. Their conflicts, the military allegories, and the underlying danger, make for a finely choreographed dance to romance.

Beyond the romance there is the puzzle of the threats to Sebastian’s life creates an interesting mystery. The story has a good hook and although the early pacing was on the slow side it seemed fitting for the difficult time of putting war behind and starting a new life. The word I noted for the atmosphere is “mellow”.

I am sorry I missed the first book in this series which I will have to get. I really appreciate the fine characters and engaging plots that Ms. Burrows continues to share with her readers. There is always a rich background of history underlying weave of mystery and well defined characters that are packaged into a reliably engaging romance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sort of ironic nuance I really enjoyed:
He’d asked her for a single rose, and she had flung an entire bouquet at him.
...
And each of her roses came with thorns. [Location 2775-2777.]
I received this ebook from Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Mailbox Monday September 8, 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 NetGalley selection, two AudioBook Jukebox requests and I won an ebook this week.
I purchased three Kindle books, received one free Amish title for joining a mailing list and, of course, 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
I selected one cozy mystery title from NetGalley to review for early November.
I really like the cover and I like books and gardening so it looked like a title I should read.

The Red Book of Primrose House
by Marty Wingate
Book Description
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
In Marty Wingate’s charming new Potting Shed Mystery, Texas transplant Pru Parke’s restoration of a historic landscape in England is uprooted by an ax murderer.




I received two titles from AudioBook Jukebox:
This sounds like a fun mystery.
Title: The Red Shoelace Killer
Author: Susan Sundwall

Narrator: Lee Ann Howlett  
Publisher: Susan Sundwall
First in the Minnie Markwood Mysteries: Minnie Markwood can out-sleuth Miss Marple any day of the week - in her imagination. But when a real killer begins to target Minnie and her young sidekicks, reality trumps imagination big time. Who's buying up all the red shoelaces at the mall and stalking a cashier? Is it the killer who terrorized Minnie on the highway and kidnapped her coworker?  It soon becomes frighteningly clear that Minnie's onto something, and The Red Shoelace Killer's days are numbered.


I had been eyeing this collection of apocalyptic stories
and was glad when it showed for review request.
Title: The End is Nigh: Apocalypse Triptych
Author: John Joseph Adams, Hugh Howey 
Narrator: Mur Lafferty, Rajan Khanna, Kate Baker, Lex Wilson, Ralph Walters, Jack Kincaid, Norm Sherman, James Keller, Anaea Lay   
Publisher:  Broad Reach PublishingTHE APOCALYPSE TRIPTYCH is a series of three anthologies of apocalyptic fiction. THE END IS NIGH focuses on life before the apocalypse. THE END IS NOW turns its attention to life during the apocalypse. And THE END HAS COME focuses on life after the apocalypse.

Won

I won an interesting sounding book at Bookfan
The Spider and the Stone
A Novel of Scotland's Black Douglas
by Glen Craney
As the 14th century dawns, Scotland’s survival hangs by a spider’s thread. The maniacal Edward Longshanks of England schemes to annex the ancient kingdom to his growing realm. But a slight, dark-skinned boy named James Douglas—inspired by his headstrong lass—refuses to move from the monarch’s path. Here is the thrilling story of the war and forbidden love that saved Scotland and destined the founding of America.
Thank you to Mary at Bookfan and Author Glen Craney.


Purchased
I purchased these three books at Amazon Kindle:

Chasing Time ($.99)
Travis Hill
Kindle Edition


Jennifer L. Jennings
Kindle Edition



Jerri Hines
Kindle Edition


Free

I got a free book for joining Global Grafx Press. I missed the Friday deadline by a few minutes but I received the book Papa Abram's Special Christmas by Ruth Price on Saturday.

While researching titles for Ladies Book Club I discovered a new-to-me Christian author: Grace Livingston Hill. She has apparently written may short, sweet titles and I found she has numerous titles for free on Amazon/Kindle.

I downloaded another 72 free Kindle titles, which included 13 by Grace Livingston Hill. 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 8, 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.

I had a busy time last week which went pretty well. 
My reading was good and I finished three books, plus I am well along on the audio.  I only got two reviews posted
I also posted the usual memes. :-)


I was pleased to visit several blogs two days early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle


The Traitor (Captive Hearts)
by Grace Burrowes 
I liked the characters in this Regency.
I'll be posting the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle - Also Print



Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1)
Kaye Dacus
Ladies Book Club enjoyed this easy read. 
I will post a review with giveaway.
Click on book title for full description.



3. eBook/Kindle


Winter's Passage
by Julie Kagawa

This was a quick read and a good bridge to the next book.
Click on book title for full description.





eTreasures Publishing New Release:
We released an updated version of:

The Spaces Between Your Screams
by Christopher Hivner
Real fear lives in the spaces between your screams.
The moment twilight becomes darkness, they are alive again. Whispered doubts, overfed lies, indistinct dreams; these crowd into your mind to create the monsters.
Your fear unleashes demons.
Your desire attracts blood seekers.
Your frailty makes you werewolf prey.
Your trust makes you vulnerable to the obscenity of the human soul.
When you scream we will hear only the silence between your breaths.
And we will know you are doomed. 
Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Thriller
Pages:  408, Anthology

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. 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.
Click on book title for full description.



2. eBook/Kindle


Neverhome
by Laird Hunt 
I have started this and love the prose.
I look forward to enjoying and reviewing through NetGalley.
She calls herself Ash, but that's not her real name. She is a farmer's faithful wife, but she has left her husband to don the uniform of a Union soldier in the Civil War. NEVERHOME tells the harrowing story of Ash Thompson during the battle for the South. Through bloodshed and hysteria and heartbreak, she becomes a hero, a folk legend, a madwoman and a traitor to the American cause. Laird Hunt's dazzling new novel throws a light on the adventurous women who chose to fight instead of stay behind. It is also a mystery story: why did Ash leave and her husband stay? Why can she not return? What will she have to go through to make it back home? In gorgeous prose, Hunt's rebellious young heroine fights her way through history, and back home to her husband, and finally into our hearts.



3. eBook/Kindle


The Night Visitor
by Dianne Emley

I will begin this after Neverhome.
I received this thriller through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 16, 2014
In bestselling author Dianne Emley’s chilling new paranormal thriller, a beautiful woman’s romantic past comes back to haunt her in the form of an otherworldly visitor seeking justice.
Gorgeous and successful, Rory Langtry seemed to have it all. Daughter of a movie star and sister of a supermodel, Rory was engaged to sexy artist, Junior Lara. But her bright future went dark one terrible, bloody night that left her sister dead and the accused murderer—Junior—in an extended coma.
Now, five years later, Rory appears to have put the past behind her. She has a wonderful new fiancé and heads a successful cosmetics company. Yet dark secrets threaten. Across town, Junior lies close to death but before he departs he seeks to clear his name.
It starts with a feeling. It turns into a vision. Soon Rory is having sensations that only Junior could experience—from the horrifying to the erotic. Then she learns details about the awful night that only Junior could know, newfound knowledge with potentially fatal consequences. When another act of violence rocks her family, Rory plunges deeper into the unsolved mystery, led by an inexplicable visitor to a dangerous time and place where all will be revealed at last. But until then, Junior will not let her go.


Chances are I will start one of the two new audios when I finish Dead Case.

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 two educational, non-fiction ebook releases. 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 two reviews last week and hope to post at least three this week; staying up to date.  

September Scheduled -
---Nothing new yet.

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Neverhome by Laird Hunt (reading)
The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (reading this week)
Global Predator by Jack Maclean  (Legend Publishing)
The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate

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
The End is Nigh: The Apocalypse Triptych by John Joseph Adams, Hugh Howey
The Red Shoelace Killer by Susan Sundwall

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 - Done

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 7, 2014

Pastor’s central point in the Sermon this morning continued what we have been reading, discussing and seeing in online videos: God has a purpose for all things and there are times of Divine Appointment. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Jesus prayed in sorrow for Jerusalem because they would not – chose not to –  believe; therefore they missed an appointed time. Matthew 23: 37-39.

We believe today that warnings have been given, the signs are appearing and the world circumstances are moving toward a Divine Appointment. There is lawlessness, there are famines, volcanoes, earthquakes, blood moons and eclipses.  We must be careful not to miss our appointed time.

God is now warning nation, church and individual. How should we respond? We need to abandon any worldly idols that hinder our time and worship of God; that hinder our obedience and relationship with God.

We sang a part of a song this morning but I do not know it and it wasn't on the song list I picked up.
In searching for a song today I found this and it fits for me.
From the Inside Out
Verses for Today:
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NIV)
 2 Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
    and make it plain on tablets
    so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end
    and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it will certainly come
    and will not delay.

Lord, it is my prayer that you will help me lay aside unimportant matters and focus more on You and what You want me to do each day. I praise you and thank you for your faithfulness and your never ending grace.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails