Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 29, 2015

I am so glad it is Friday again... even though the week has flown by.
We have spent much time this week compiling the final data for the State report that is due. I haven't been home before 9pm for the past three nights. 
We've had several days with rain and a storm knocked out our internet again one night.
I still hope everyone is keeping safe in these bad weather systems.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the May 22 Pick. There were two automatic wins this week.  Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title blocked and it was won.
Sorry -- Correction to last week: BETTY (not Becky) got The Darkroom
Carol NW gets McNally's Puzzle
Di gets Heart of the Wofl

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 22 Pick:
Becky gets the Virginia Henly pair (won through a block)

Faith Hope Cherrytea gets a GC

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.}

How about this for 'pouring' books?

Image found at EndPaper

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015
(I'll finish the list with authors on Saturday 5/2/15)

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Dragon and the Jewel and Tempted
Jude Deveraux: The Invitation and Remembrance
Nora Roberts: The Heart of Devin MacKade and the Pride of Jared MacKade
SINGLES:
A Little Better Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
Veil of Night by Lydia Joyce
World's Greatest Dad by Marie Ferrarella
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess
Skin Game by Ava Gray
Special Agent
Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spears
Dean in The Water by Stuart Woods - Cassette Tapes
Rally Fever
Jack with a Twist by Brenda Janowitz

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Dick Francis: A Jockey's Life and Proof (spine creases)
Catherine Lanigan: Tender Malice and Elusive Love (spine creases)
SINGLES:
Parent Trap Anthology, Dallas Schulze, Lisa Jackson, Kasey Michaels
Madison Avenue Marriage (Silhouette Desire #129) by Cassandra Bishop
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Ain't Myth-Behaving by Kate MacAlister
Death at Play by Nancy Gotter Gates
Where is He Now? by Jennifer Greene
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
Aphrodite's Secret by Julie Kenner
Virtually His by Gennita Low
Dead Even by Brad Metzger
Mommy Midwife by Cassie Miles
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks


New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun


New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes



BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Catherine Anderson PAIR: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Mariah Stewart PAIR: Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Diana Palmer PAIR: Diamond Spur, Long Tall Texan
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

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 five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 822+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $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)

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!

Book Review: Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1) by Christi J. Whitney

This has unique elements and is an engaging story.
Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1)
by Christi J. Whitney

• File Size: 1302 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (April 30, 2015)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B00MT9E66E
• Genre: Paranormal, YA
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 30, 2015
Sebastian Grey dreams of a girl. But when she turns up at school, Sebastian realizes that this isn’t your average teenage fantasy.
Sebastian Grey always thought he was a fairly normal teenager – good friends, decent grades, and a pretty sweet job in his foster brother’s tattoo shop.
But when strangers arrive in town, Sebastian soon realizes that his world is nothing at all what it seemed. Secretive gypsies surround him, shadowy figures stalk him, and the girl he’s been dreaming about turns up at school.
Now Sebastian must protect this girl at all costs, even if it means he will never be normal again.

Review:
Sebastian has always been a quiet young man who has tried to lead a normal life. He enjoys his friends at school and looks forward to apprenticing at his foster brother’s tattoo shop. It doesn’t bother him that he doesn’t remember his life before he was adopted by a couple who left him with the elder ‘brother’, Hugo. But he is bothered by some strange dreams of a gypsy girl whom he struggles to protect.

Sebastian is startled when the girl of his dreams, Josephine, shows up at school and his compulsion to protect her intensifies. He is also troubled because his body is changing as though he is sick and his emotions have become strangely volatile. Hugo and his tattoo partners are keeping a close eye on him and finally explain to Sebastian that they are gypsies and that Sebastian has an important role in the family. They tell him to stay away from Josephine who is from a different clan, but they won’t give him more details.

The story has a bit of Romeo and Juliet family animosity, plus some other Shakespearean similarities that are well used. At first I found the teenage angst a bit trying but fortunately there are surprising elements in the story that kept my attention. I was frustrated that no one would talk straight with Sebastian even as they all wanted to manipulate him for their own uses. This works to keep Sebastian at odds, not knowing who he can trust when he most needs friends. Ms. Whitney manages to pull the reader into an emotional commitment with Sebastian. The romance with Josephine is a bit one sided considering she has a pre-arranged mate/boyfriend who, or course, takes an immediate dislike to Sebastian. But Josephine does seem to sense a special connection with Sebastian.

The writing flows well and I really enjoyed the unique issues of Sebastian’s character and circumstances. The author has presented a creative story and I will be interested to follow how Sebastian copes with his future challenges. I recommend this to readers who like a creative paranormal and are comfortable with some YA issues.

I received this title through NetGalley from the author for an honest review as part of Pump Up Your Book Tour. This is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

For More Information

• Grey is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.
• Get it for your Nook at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
• Watch the book trailer here.
• Read Chapter One here.

AUTHOR:

Christi J. Whitney is a former high school theatre director with a love for the arts. She lives just outside Atlanta with her husband and two sons. When not spending time with them or taking a ridiculous number of trips to Disney World, she can be found directing plays, making costumes for sci-fi/fantasy conventions, obsessing over Doctor Who, watching superhero movies, or pretending she’s just a tad bit British.

Her latest book is the young adult urban fantasy novel, Grey(The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1).

For More Information

• Visit Christi J. Whitney’s website.
• Connect with Christi on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Christi at Goodreads.
• Visit Christi’s blog.
• Contact Christi.

Audible Review: Gabriel's Redemption: Evan Gabriel Trilogy, Book 1 by Steve Umstead

This is an action packed story including betrayal and conspiracy.

Gabriel's Redemption: Evan Gabriel Trilogy, Book 1

Written by: Steve Umstead

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins 

Series: Evan Gabriel, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-27-13

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Genre: Sci Fi Contemporary, Military

My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

"A cast of interesting and believable characters and a plot that kept me listening…I enjoyed the author's take on technology and the political landscape of the future. Definitely recommended!" (Michael R. Hicks, bestselling author of the In Her Name science-fiction/adventure series and the bestselling thriller Season of the Harvest).

North American Federation Navy Commander Evan Gabriel was dishonorably discharged after a disastrous mission on a far off world called Eden. He's spent the last five years hiding from his past, from those responsible for the failed mission, from those responsible for running him out of the Navy, and from those originally responsible for making him into who he was - a highly-trained, physically and mentally augmented Special Forces soldier.

Two mysterious visitors appear unannounced at the door of a Gabriel's seedy hotel room in the slums of Jamaica. His past has finally caught up with him. From the decaying Caribbean to politically charged South America, from the back alleys of Mars to a tiny colony on a planet 600 light years from Earth, Gabriel's Redemption is a near-future military science-fiction story of a personal journey seen from the perspective of a soldier who has lost everything - one who desperately needs to redeem himself not only in his government's eyes, but also his own. Interstellar action and political intrigue mix with one-on-one battles on the surface of a frozen planet in Book One of the science fiction-adventure trilogy.

©2011 Steve Umstead (P)2013 Podium Publishing

Review:
Gabriel is out of the service having been discharged for a failed mission. He believes he is living under the radar until two men arrive at his door to tell him he is being called back into service by the very commander whom he believed betrayed his team. Gabriel is offered a chance to redeem his career standing if he will agree to lead a unique unit to a mostly forgotten colony planet. He is shown evidence that the colonists are taking chemicals from living indigenous creatures of the planet. The chemical is then being shipped out as a drug that is causing havoc among civilized worlds, including military troops.

Gabriel meets his team a only a few hours before they ship out. They may be an elite group but he isn’t sure he can truly trust them all. The intel they are given tells them there are not many colonists and they have minimal weaponry. Also they should have the advantage of surprise coming in with steal and sending the most up to date probes to line the entry path.

But things are not as they appear. Another, more ruthless, mercenary team of criminal hiding on Mars, has been equipped to go in behind Gabriel’s team as a “clean up” crew. These men have an inside connection that is going to mean major trouble for Gabriel’s team.

Meanwhile a corrupt leader is conspiring with South American political rebels in a plot to overthrow current leaders. These pieces tie together if only Gabriel can survive and return to earth to reveal the proof of the conspiracy.

Events unfold at five different locations and with five different sets of characters which makes for a bit of confusion. However, if you persevere through the angles, there is great action and intrigue. I enjoyed getting to meet several team mates and hope that they might appear again. At least one important contact does remain on board for the next book. I recommend this series to readers who enjoy strong intrigue and military action.

Audio Notes: I soon re-acclimated to the voice of Ray Chase and became absorbed in the action. I am enjoying this series in audio format.

I owned the Kindle version so I was able to get the Audible at a reduced price in May with part of a $10.00 credit. :-). It adds to my Audio Challenge.

Audible Review: Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella: Evan Gabriel Trilogy by Steve Umstead

This is fast paced military action with a creative story.
Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella: Evan Gabriel Trilogy
Written by: Steve Umstead
Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins
Series: Evan Gabriel, Book 0.5
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-27-13
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Sci Fi Contemporary, Military
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Evan Gabriel wasn't always a feared and respected North American Federation Navy Commander. Before dangerous missions to the ice-bound planet of Poliahu, the deadly jungle world of Eden, and politically corrupt Mars, he was a simple recruit, fighting to make his mark in the elite Naval Special Forces…and was part of a top-secret military experiment that would change his life forever.
Zero Point tells the tale of a young man faced with difficult choices and dangerous trials. Fans of the series will see part of the mysterious past Evan Gabriel carries with him, while listeners new to the series get a preview of what is to come in a military man's haunted life. Zero Point is the true beginning of Evan Gabriel, and his story is just getting started.
©2012 Steve Umstead (P)2013 Podium Publishing

Review:
Gabriel was a young soldier in training whose high level skills caught the eyes of superiors, including a special recruiter. Gabriel has the right profile - no family and no real friends because his loyalty takes precedence over personal relationships. A tough Naval commander offers Gabriel the chance to become part of an elite division of the Naval Special Forces. Gabriel accepts even though he doesn’t have the full details.

Gabriel is delivered to a secret laboratory for special work to prepare for his new career. There he learns that he is about to become a ‘super soldier’ with physical and mental augmentation. He doesn’t get much time to consider the program before a sad technician/scientist thrusts him into a tank for the changes. When Gabriel awakens he finds himself at a zero point - reborn with powers he will have to get used to on the run. The technician is missing and there is a blood trail across the floor.

Gabriel sets out to find the girl and quickly faces multiple attackers, booby trapped hallways and wicked, multi-weaponed assassins. Gabriel suffers wounds that his new body works on healing internally. He successfully faces down all obstacles only to come face to face with a master enemy when he finally reaches the room and finds the technician.

I enjoyed the fast pace action and detailed military maneuvers that were described in this novella. I appreciated Gabriel’s background as the author develops his character. The reader also gets to meet certain military officials whom suspect I will be appearing in further books in the series. The story is direct and believable. I was pleased to have this as a free audio which did result in my purchase of the first full novel in the trilogy: Gabriel’s Redemption.

Audio Notes: It took just a little time to get used to the deep soft voice of the narrator. Ray Chase does a good job presenting the story with intensity that portrays the personalities of the characters. It was nice that this was a quick listen, under three hours, to garner interest in the series. It also included the beginning of book 1 which I enjoyed until I downloaded that book. I recommend this on audio as a quick, exciting listen.

I downloaded this free prequel at Audible. This is part of my Audio Challenge. It is also G on Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Winners: April 24 2015 Through May 22, 2015

This brings the winner list up to date for now. :-)
The Winners can always be found listed on the Giveaway page and they are shown in the sidebar for a week or so after announced.
Some of these are tour wins so winners can check the rafflecopter announcements on those giveaway posts.

***ALL WINNERS at MBS: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form AND if you want you can email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers. I am now asking for mailing info in the giveaway forms so I can mail the books even if I don't hear from the winner.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)]

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

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Giveaway Ended April 24, 2015

Giveaway: Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1 by Rita Gerlach
Print US-WINNER: MEREDITH


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Giveaway Ended May 7, 2015

Giveaways: Fringe Benefits (The Ladies Who Lunch) by Sandy James; 
Rafflecopter: check Rafflecopter
eBook giveaway: WINNER: BOOKLADY

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Giveaway Ended May 8, 2015

Giveaways: Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott
Rafflecopter ended: 5/3/15 - See Rafflecopter for winners.
Print giveaway WINNER: CAROL L


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Giveaway Ended May 12, 2015

Tour Giveaway: Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)
Rafflecopter ended 5/12. Check Rafflecopter for Winner.


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Giveaway Ended May 15, 2015

Blog Tour Giveaway: The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson
Rafflecopter ended: 5/15/15 Check Rafflecopter for winners



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Giveaways Ended May 22, 2015

Tour Giveaway: Once Upon a SEAL (Lucky Thirteen Book 5) by S.M. Butler
Rafflecopter Ended 5/22 - Check Rafflecopter for Winners.


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Giveaway: Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1) by Lori Wick
Print WINNER: SUZANNE K