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Friday, June 26, 2015

Book Blitz with Giveaway! Alive at 5 by Linda Bond

Come On A Thrilling Adventure Vacation in Alive at 5 by Linda Bond, Now On Sale for 99 cents!!!


Now on SALE! Read the book that is described as a mix of James Bond and Romancing the Stone! Spend part of your summer vacation on a adventure with a TV news reporter and a thrill-seeking undercover cop while they search for a murderer and face their greatest adventure of all, love.

Interested where the idea for Alive at 5 came from? Check out Linda’s blog post here!

Not only is ALIVE AT 5 having a sale, but it also got a new cover! Check it out below!

Don’t forget to enter to win a $25 gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble - See Rafflecopter below.

About Alive At 5  

Description: TV news reporter Samantha Steele is one panic attack away from losing her job. Future on the line and cameraman in tow, she follows her mentor on an exhilarating adventure vacation. When he dies while skydiving, her investigative instincts scream “murdered”, and lead her to gorgeous thrill-seeker Zack Hunter. Zack is an undercover police officer investigating his uncle’s death through the same adventure vacation company. Samantha is a thorn in his side the moment they meet. Not only is she investigating the same case, but the emotionally wounded loner doesn’t want another partner, especially one whose goal is to splash evidence all over the evening news. But Samantha’s persistence is quite a turn-on, and Zack’s overpowering desire makes it harder for him to push her away. When the killer turns his attention to Zack, Samantha might be the only one who can save him, forcing the anxiety-riddled correspondent to finally face her greatest fear.


Check out the one of kind book trailer for Alive at 5 here!

Fresh Fiction had this to say about ALIVE AT 5:
"What a Treat: Great Characters, a Clever Plot, and Extreme Adventures!"
“ALIVE AT 5 is extremely well written, fast paced, and what a joy it was to experience, even vicariously, skydiving, scuba diving, and swimming with sharks! Ms. Bond has crafted a superior romantic suspense, and Sam, Zach, and Sam's cameraman George make such a fine team, I dare hope it's the beginning of a series! No chance of dozing off while reading ALIVE AT 5!”

On Sale At These E-Retailers:



About the Author:

Linda Bond is an Emmy award winning journalist by day and an author of romantic adventures by night. She’s also the mother of five, four athletes and an adopted son from Cuba. She has a passion for world travel, classic movies, and alpha males. Linda currently lives in Florida, where the sun always shines and the day begins with endless possibilities. You can become a Bond girl and share in her continuing adventures at www.lindabond.com

You can also visit her online at the following places:

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  YouTube |  Google+  |  Pintrest

EXCERPT:
    “I don’t really expect you to help me, just give me a cover.”
    He groaned in a blast of disbelief. The irony of this situation was not lost on him. If he wanted to remain undercover for real, he had to provide her with a pretend cover. The woman did have balls, he had to admit. He forced a smile. “And if I don’t go along with your plan?”
    “I walk right over to my detective friend and tell him my suspicions.” She stared boldly his way, hands on hips, legs slightly apart. “I’ll tell him that Maxwell was killed and you know all about it. That you’re here investigating the other suspicious deaths. I don’t know what agency you’re working for, but Stuart could find out in less than ten minutes, and I imagine you don’t want to blow your cover just yet. Am I right?”
    His jaw dropped. “Blackmail? Really? Do you know the penalty for that if I really am a cop?”
    She snorted. “Extortion, actually. Well?”
    He snapped his jaw shut. He knew very well what would happen if the adventure vacation company knew his real identity, and what his bosses would do if they found out he was still investigating this case after they’d specifically pulled him off it.
    Wow. She had him. He was impressed, and a little turned on. He ground his teeth. He would agree to her plan, only because he had no choice. He was determined to find and nail the son of a bitch who had killed his uncle.
    “All right, fine,” he reluctantly said.
    She might lose her job if she didn’t come back with her investigative story. But he would definitely lose his job if she exposed his undercover activities and his family’s private life on the news. So he would have to keep the nosy reporter under his thumb and under his control.
    One way or another.



Linda Bond has a new release coming out soon called Cuba Undercover!
Check out the exclusive book trailer here!

GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 26, 2015

Happy Friday - I'm happy it's Friday and I hope you are. My car was fixed on Monday with a replaced fuel pump and a few tweaks. Not cheap but less expensive than ongoing car payments. Work has been steadily plugging along. 
I did get the new picture of books and a list posted for today. 
Just to bring everyone up to date - I have books picked for mailing Friday and I hope to get all gift cards/PayPals sent on Saturday except for those who are banking their wins.

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 June 19 Pick. There were no 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 were two titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from June 19 Pick:
Marjorie gets a GC
LindaK gets Paradise Bay

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.}
I'm looking forward to diving and relaxing in some good books! How about you?
Image found at Cleveland.com

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015
-- A few summer titles, a few mysteries, a few historicals...

PAIRS:
JoAnn Ross:Impulse and Far Harbor\
Barbara Bretton: One and Only and Shore Lights
SINGLES:
Honeymoon by James Patterson
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson Audio Cassette Tapes
Marriage by the Book by Joan Johnston (slight binding damage)
Summer Lovin', American Romance - Marin Thomas, Laura Marie Altom and Ann Roth
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Murders in the Mist by Willard Scott
Murder on the Atlantic by Steve Allen
Love Me Tommow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
The Reiver's Woman by Catherine Creel
Never Romance a Rake by Liz Carlyle
Patriot Dreams by Barbara Michaels
Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster


New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015
(I'll finish the list with authors on Saturday 5/2/15)
PAIRS:
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
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Special Agent by Candice DeLong
Dead in The Water by Stuart Woods - Cassette Tapes
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)
PAIRS:
Catherine Lanigan: Tender Malice and Elusive Love (spine creases)
SINGLES:
Madison Avenue Marriage (Silhouette Desire #129) by Cassandra Bishop
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Where is He Now? by Jennifer Greene
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
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
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
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)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
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
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.


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

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
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 834+ 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!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Audible Book Review: Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones

This eighth episode adds new twists to this engaging series.
Eighth Grave After Dark
By Darynda Jones
Narrated By Lorelei King
Length: 9 hrs
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 8
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-19-15
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
With 12 hellhounds after her, pregnant Charley Davidson takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. But after months of being cooped up there, Charley is ready to pop. Both metaphorically and literally, since she is now roughly the size of a beached whale. Fortunately a new case has captured her attention, one that involves a murder on the very grounds the team has taken shelter upon. A decades-old murder of the newly vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows is almost enough to pull her out of her doldrums.
Charley's been forbidden to step foot off the sacred grounds. While the angry hellhounds can't traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders. They have the entire team on edge, especially Reyes. And if Charley didn't know better, she would swear Reyes is getting sick. He grows hotter with every moment that passes, his heat scorching across her skin every time he's near, but naturally he swears he's fine. Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life.
©2015 Darynda Jones (P)2015 Macmillan Audio


Review:
Charley, the grim reaper, and Reyes, the son of Satan, and friends are settled - or more like ‘locked’ in - at an abandoned convent where they believe the 12 hellhounds can’t venture. Charley is glad to have the diversion and excitement of helping the wedding plans for Uncle Bob and her assistant, best friend, Cookie. Everyone is a bit on edge looking for activity. Charley is happy to get a last minute call for help from her FBI friend and even Cookie has her own reasons to delay her honeymoon.

Charley doesn’t realize at first what is happening to Reyes, she just knows he is scorching hot - even more than usual. She is also concerned when she realizes he keeps sneaking off to meet with her ghostly investigator, 13 year old Angel.

Charley is dealing with other problems as her step-mother, Denise, who is far from her favorite person, is trying to build a new relationship so she can be part of little ‘beep’s life. Charley’s old house ghost, Mr. Wong, has moved into the convent and there are ghosts multiplying on the lawn while Charley’s dead father slips in to tell her there are spies in the household.

Charley is plenty restless. Since Reyes is keeping secrets she decides to keep her own secrets and ‘slip out’ to interview a kidnapper. That causes friction but things really heat up when Charley races out of the convent thinking that Cookie and Amber are in danger. Charley runs into some old friends who rein her back to the convent when they realize there is trouble at home.

This episode is a little quieter at first as the story focuses on the wedding and the birth of 'beep'. There is the usual snappy humor is full force but at times I wondered where the story was going. Finally the action picks up and I liked the twists and surprises when the enemies and allies face off. The ending takes an unexpected leap to leave us hanging till book nine.

Audio Notes: After eight listens there is not much more to say about the wonderfully entertaining narration by Lorelei King. She makes it an easy, enjoyable listening experience.

I picked this up at Audible with one of my monthly credits. This is part of my audio challenge.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Book Review: Murder At Rudhall Manor (A Humorous Murder Mystery) by Anya Wylde

This story tells the madcap crazy antics of Miss Lucy Anne Trotter trying to prove she is not a murderer or thief.
Murder At Rudhall Manor (A Humorous Murder Mystery)
by Anya Wylde
  • File Size: 904 KB
  • Print Length: 224 pages
  • Publication Date: June 15, 2014
  • ASIN: B00L1HYMJQ
Genre: Humor, Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


A murder and a theft have been committed at Rudhall Manor. A box of jewels has vanished and Lord Sedley, a lusty old aristocrat, has been stabbed six times in the chest.
It is all very mysterious, and the Sedley family and the servants have decided that Miss Lucy Anne Trotter, a recently employed governess, is to blame for the unfortunate events.
The legendary and wickedly handsome Marquis, Lord William Adair, learns of the matter and decides to uncover the truth.
Lucy, however, has little faith in blue blooded creatures—even if they possess dashing good looks— and, accompanied by two naughty pugs and a moody raven, decides to investigate and unmask the killer herself.
But the hunt for the killer turns out to be far more complicated than she anticipates—what with snooty servants, warts in odd places, mixed up love affairs, agitated chickens and dreadful disguises ruining her plans.
Soon she begins to wonder if, for once, she is in over her head….


Review:
Lucy Anne’s headmistress at the orphanage knows that Lucy has a big heart and has been a diligent student. She would make a good addition to the orphanage staff, even if her exuberant behavior sometimes gets the best of her. But Lucy was insistent on taking a position as a governess for two young wards of an aristocratic Lord. Lucy didn’t realize the type of household she was getting into. There was the stingy, lusty master whom Lucy rebuked, the bitter, demanding wife, an older son who has a menagerie of animals, another son who is out incurring debt, a snippy daughter who wants a season in London and Lucy’s two lively charges, a niece and nephew. Oh - and let's not forget the ghost of Aunt Sedley!

Lucy, as the newest employee, is the easiest suspect for a jewel theft that occurs the same day that Lord Sedley is murdered. The family and the servants are quick to presume her guilt even though they are more concerned about the missing jewelry than the murder.

The eccentric, legendary Lord Adair floats into town and is asked to investigate the crimes. Lucy has to crawl through the crowd to see him face to face. He is beautiful, just as the legends say, and although Lucy appreciates his handsome features she doesn’t trust him, as an aristocrat, to prove the innocence of a servant such as herself. Lucy determines that she will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth herself.

It is clear from the outset that this story is not your usual conservative (or even racy) regency historical. The characters are quirky enough, but the household becomes even more zany with a baboon, pug puppies, a raven that likes to sit on Lucy’s bonnet and more. Lucy’s attempts at spying are absolutely outrageous, including a misguided, ridiculous disguise and a hunt in the hen house. The whole effect is very quickly seen as a madcap romp. There were a few scattered clues to the identity of the murderer but I didn’t get it until just before it was revealed.

If you are a reader looking for a sexy historical romance - look elsewhere. But if you want to take a break from serious reading and enjoy laughter and an entertaining mystery, do try this cute story - it’s a hoot! I would be glad to read more of Miss Lucy's madcap adventures.

I received this from the author for an honest review. Thank you Anya for a very fun interlude.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Audio Book Review: Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things: The Wedding Planner Mysteries, Book 1, by Rachelle J. Christensen,

This is a fast, fun cozy mystery. 
Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things: The Wedding Planner Mysteries, Book 1
Written by: Rachelle J. Christensen
Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
Series: Wedding Planner Mysteries, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-05-15
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she is especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is murdered just three days before the wedding, Adri's world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri's impeccable taste and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success - that is until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. The race is on to uncover a secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before Adri becomes the next victim.
With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things is a romantic suspense novel that will keep you listening long into the night.
©2014 Rachelle Christensen (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.


Review:
Adrielle is a wedding planner who moved to Sun Valley, Idaho after a trauma in her big city career. She is slowly building her new business, planning two important society weddings, one with a lovely bride and the other with a bridezilla ‘starlet’ diva. The brides have an interesting connection as the sweet bride is the new fiancé of the wealthy, handsome ex of the diva.

Adri and her best friend, Lorea, are expanding their business by including wedding dresses in their inventory. The first shipment of dresses arrives with one dress missing and one with hem damage. As the girls scramble to keep the plans moving for their brides, Adri has to cope with vandalized dresses, stolen diamonds and threatening pictures.

Meanwhile Lorea is encouraging Adri to take a chance on a little bit of romance. Even as Adri has a couple of dates with a shy friend, she is eyeing a gorgeous hunk on the jog trail and another gorgeous man who shows interest but has a distaste for weddings.

The story is lively and fun as Adri hides facts from the police to save her dresses, soothes competing brides and juggles potential beaus. The characters are real and likable - except for Bridezilla of course. The writing is straightforward and moves at a good easy pace. The mystery has twists that kept me guessing and l liked the light romance elements as well. I also enjoyed the bridal tips that start each chapter. I recommend this to readers who love a fun, cozy mystery and those who enjoy wedding elements.

Audio Notes: Kirsten Potter does an okay job narrating the story. Once I got accustomed to her voice, I decided it fit well for the primary characters and she adds enough inflection for the other voices to keep them distinct. I enjoyed the audio which made this a quick enjoyable “read.”

I received this audio title through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for my 2015 Audiobook challenge.

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