Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 10, 2014

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

So sorry for the very late posting today. I was going to be late and planned an announcement but my computer or internet would not let me save in blogger last evening. I had court this morning and once I hit my desk I tend to be focused on work items. :-)
I had to take a picture of the box of books that was here at the office to include today.

[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 October 3 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 no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 3 Pick:
Mystica gets a GC

Carol NW gets Painted House 

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.}

Admittedly this image doesn't have books in it 

but it comes from a library post about October book picks. :-)

Image found at The Indianapolis Public Library.

New Book Group #52 October 10, 2014
(Links to be added.)

PAIRS:
Richard Paul Evans, The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Mary Higgins Clark, A Cry In the Night and You Belong to Me
SINGLES
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
Destiny's Daughter by Rebecca Brandewyne
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
She's Got the Look by Leslie Kelly
Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Behind a Mask by May Alcott
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman

New Book Group #51 September 12, 2014
10/10 - I just realized I never posted the image for this group.

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

Out of This Furnace: A Novel of Immigrant Labor in America by Thomas Bell Reprint Edition

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

SINGLES:
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy

New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

SINGLES:
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson

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
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)
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)
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 716+ 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)
List #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

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review: Global Predator by Jack Maclean

An engaging and intense military thriller set in dangerous areas of Pakistan.

Global Predator
by Jack Maclean

• File Size: 466 KB
• Print Length: 269 pages
• Publisher: eBookPartnership.com (June 19, 2014)
• ASIN: B00L5M4L0C

Genre: Military Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 19, 2014
High above the mountains of the North West Frontier, a Global Predator circles waiting to unleash its Hellfire missiles. The trail of Osama Bin Laden’s deputy, the elusive Egyptian terror master, Ayman al-Zawahiri has gone cold until a chance recording identified by a translator at the National Security Agency offers new clues. A special intelligence team assembles and plots to catch at him at a meeting with other high ranking al Qaeda leaders. In Pakistan’s beautiful Swat Valley, the local Taliban have been stepping up their attacks on anyone educating girls. English aid worker Sally is taken hostage while visiting one of her schools. When Wilkins, escaping his reckless trading mistakes at his London bank, is forced to rescue her, he finds himself trapped in a world of blind fear and terror. Only one person can now make sense of what is happening and stop a massacre of innocent schoolgirls.

Review:
Faiza is an Afganistan born member of the National Security Agency (NSA) team seeking to locate and eliminate Ayman al-Zawahiri, a Eqyptian, Taliban terrorist. Faiza has been hired for her multi-linguist skills but she has a personal vendetta against al-Zawahiri and is determined to destroy him. She is working closely with the team using drones for covert intelligence in Pakistan where they have tracked al-Zawahiri.

Sally is a 28 year old living in the Swat Valley of Pakistan where she teaches young girls and distributes teaching supplies for the Grassroots Literacy Foundation. Although she is one of the few foreign women in the area she is dedicated to helping women in Pakistan.

Sally is an old college friend of Wilkins, a genius who has had his own investment racket behind his position at a prestigious investment bank in London. Wilkins decides that Pakistan would be a good place to hide out when his activities are about to be exposed and he isn't above using Sally's friendship.

The drones are a primary element of the story as they are used to hunt the enemy. If the wrong people, innocent people, are killed it would be disastrous for the Americans and their drone program. The team is caught in the dilemma of having to prove the capabilities and importance of the drones while in a real time race making quick intelligence decisions without giving away their advantages to the enemy on the ground.

The story-line follows Wilkins in Pakistan as he inadvertently stumbles into a Taliban terrorist meeting and then has to back peddle his way out. Wilkins, Sally and some other friends are walking into perilous situations as the Taliban try to bait the American drones.

Wilkins is initially not a very likable character. He might be brilliant and charming but he is a conman and a liar. Later the author attempts to transform his personality into something more sympathetic. Sally is very likable and a commendable character. Anyone who would stay to help others in such an atmosphere of hate and danger is to be respected.

There were quite a few characters which made this a little difficult to follow at first. Once they were all sorted to their positions – army, civilians, friend or foe Pakistan– it flowed easier. However, even then there were chapters that seemed to describe events that were earlier than the chapter before which made for confusion in chronology.

There is plenty of tension and suspense as there are many chances for misinterpretation of the intelligence being observed from a distance, especially after the agent in the field is executed.  There were several spots where I was on edge waiting to see who would survive.

I found the descriptions of the country, the people and their struggles to be grim and gripping. The author manages to raise thought provoking issues beyond the moral issues related to the characters. There are economic and humanitarian concerns, war against terrorist dangers and issues of political correctness. In spite of the character and time-frame confusion the story is active and engaging. I recommend it to those who enjoy suspense action in a timely terrorist scenario.




Editing note: There were numerous editing errors in the version I read. I do hope that this was due to it being a NetGalley ARC and that the final version has been cleaned up.

I received this ebook through NetGalley for an honest review.

Mailbox Monday October 6, 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 three review books which I hope to read in November.
I purchased one print book for Ladies book club that we are excited to be reading this month.
I only purchased one $.99 Kindle book this week and I picked up a tad fewer, but still many, free kindle titles.

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received these two eBooks from New Shelves Distribution:
I expect to include these in November.

A Touch of Nerves
by Dennis Hampton
A government suspense story.

The Oath of Nimrod:
Giants, MK-Ultra and the Smithsonian Coverup
(Book #4 in Templars in America Series)
by David S. Brody
Thriller/Adventure

I received this print book from The Cadence Group


We Are the Destroyers
by D.K. Lindler
This is a newly released fantasy/issue-based novel. This thought-provoking novel is the first in a series that offers a sneak peak at the future of humanity if we continue on a disturbing path of over-consumption.

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased a print book for our October Ladies Book Club reading. We are very excited to be reading this 'follow-up' to The Harbinger which we read and I reviewed earlier this year. My husband and I bought over two dozen copies at a good price so we could share them with others of our church and family.

The Mystery of the Shemitah: The 3,000-Year-Old Mystery That Holds the Secret of America's Future, the World's Future, and Your Future! 
by Jonathan Cahn







I only purchased one $.99 book at Amazon Kindle - a box set from an author I have enjoyed.  It was hard but I had better control of my impulse buying this week!



Highland Werewolf Boxed Set (Heart of the Wolf)
Terry Spear

Free

I downloaded another 51 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? October 6, 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.

This was a busy and exciting week with Wednesday - Friday at an industry conference which I enjoyed. 
Reading was pretty good with enjoyable reads. I squeezed in two books and one audio.  I posted two reviews, one with a Blitz post and Giveaway. I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I really enjoyed visiting a good group of blogs early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? September 29, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday September 29, 2014.

• Audio Book Review: The Red Shoelace Killer by Susan Sundwall; Cozy Mystery; my rating 3.75.

• Book Review: Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Forever Romance Holiday Heat Week Release Celebration with Giveaway.  Open US/Canada. Ends 10/11/14.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 3, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 10/9/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #171 Comment Giveaway 10/4/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 10/11/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 5, 2014.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Mistletoe on Main Street
by Olivia Miles
This was fun and easy reading.
Review and Blitz Giveaway are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

Seattle Cinderella: (Romancing America)
by Gail Sattler
This was light easy reading 
and the Ladies Book Club enjoyed it. 
I will post a review with book giveaway this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3

Allegiant: Divergent Trilogy, Book 3
Written by: Veronica Roth
Narrated by: Emma Galvin, Aaron Stanford
I think this was a good ending to the trilogy. 
Click on book title for full description.

eTreasures Publishing:
The two print releases have been approved and will be linked at the website this week.
Two more ebooks still out for galley proofs; to be released soon.

Currently reading:

1. Audio/MP3

Brave New World
Written by: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Michael York
I am about mid-way in this. 
I had forgotten most of the story 
so I am glad to listen with the good narration.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Ruptured: The Cantati Chronicles
by Maggie Mae Gallagher
I am looking forward to this quick Novella prequel.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 16, 2014
A Cantati Chronicles Prequel Novella

It has been eighty-three years since the walls between Earth and Infernus fell, and now our world stands upon the razor’s edge of extinction. Demon platoons are marching upon us. My home, one of humanity’s last bastions of existence, is under siege.

My name is Alana Devereaux. I am the resident demon detector of Cantati Forces and Platoon Commander. My job is to hunt down the vermin unleashed upon my world, and I love it. I live for the day I can kick every last demon’s ass out of this world. Except as enemy forces reign down terror upon us, the Densare Council sentences me to a fate worse than death

3. eBook/Kindle

It Happened at Christmas
by Debbie Mason
This is another Christmas title from
the Forever Romance Blitz Week 
(giveaway linked above).
"Christmas, Colorado, will get you in the spirit for love all year long." --- Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author.
Love is the best Christmas gift of all.
Free-spirited activist Skylar Davis is out of money and out of options. After using up her trust fund trying to save the world, she hides out in Christmas, hoping the kindness of friends will help her forget the reckless actions of her past. All goes well . . . until she comes face-to-face with one of her mistakes: the town's gorgeous young mayor.
Ethan O'Connor likes his life drama-free and predictable now that he's about to make the move from small-town politics to the Colorado State Senate. Then Skye blows back into town, as impulsive and passionate as he remembers. If word ever got out about their night together-the night he's never been able to forget-the scandal could cripple his career. Yet as he starts his campaign, Ethan finds that, like the town of Christmas itself, he can't get Skye out of his head . . . or his heart.

I am one day behind in my daily Bible reading. (Got behind during the conference days.) I should get caught up by Monday evening.
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 which we sent back for a bit more polishing. We are also working on releasing several additional novels in print -- also polishing.

I still have some books carried forward and have added a few from NetGalley and publicist/Author requests. I still need to pick one of my own TBRs for October. 
I had one review left over from last week but posted one from this week's reading so I am sort of up-to-date as far as reviews go.  

October Scheduled -
Mid Oct: Ruptured: The Cantati Chronicles by Maggie Mae Gallagher (reading)
     Pumpkins in Paradise (Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries Book 1) by Kathi Daley
     The Kindness of Neighbors (A Short Story) by Matthew Iden

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate  (for Nov)
It Happened at Christmas by Debbie Mason (reading)
What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series) by Grace Burrowes (Oct)

Authors:
Nov 7: Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery by Joyce Strand
Nov. 12: Peace & Goodwill a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4) by Lee Strauss

A Touch of Nerves by Dennis Hampton

The Founders' Plot by Frank Victoria
We Are the Destroyers by D.K. Lindler

From Story Bundle - I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these. There are Cyperpunk, Supernatural and Mystery Bundles available now - soooo tempting!
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Still many more requests to consider and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
I'll be looking for new titles to request this week.

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.
According to Jennings ‘54

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD for October

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 5, 2014

We had a good Sunday School class talking about how God is blessing our “brother” E who has named his ministry work in Haiti as 'Band of Brothers Ministry in Haiti'. We are continuing to send support and discussing expanded ministries in our own community too.

Pastor’s Sermon was entitled “God's Favor”. He defined favor as "approval, kindness, goodwill". God’s blessings are “tangible evidence of God's approval”. We give Him favor by spending time with Him. He gives us blessings as a sign of His great love and favor to us. However, we must keep in mind that the condition of our lives doesn't signify favor or lack thereof. Those who accept God know that He is with them in all things and at all times - even during troubles and difficulties. We have the favor of God because we rest in Him and know that His presence is with us. We receive favor not because we are deserving but because we seek Him for who He is and not for what He gives. His greatest favor is shown in His unending love for us and the mercy and grace He gives us.

We need to give thanks for His divine favor in our lives and we should pray that He gives us favor with others and use us in service to reveal His Glory.

There is good news that God has already provided His favor to all who believe. The bad news is that not everyone knows about it. When God is outpouring, then the enemy will attack and try to take it away. Believers need to learn, in wisdom, to recognize God’s favor, accept it and declare it...each day!

I selected this song video that fits the message today:

God Gave Me Favor!

This has wonderful scriptures and a strong testimony to share with the song.

Verse for Today:
Psalm 5:12 NIV
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Lord, I thank you for Your favor and blessings poured out on me. Not just material blessings but more importantly, physical blessings of healing and health and spiritual blessings of peace and joy. I seek your guidance and direction in my service and giving to missions to help advance Your Kingdom.