Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 16, 2015

Happy Friday.
My week has been busy - but productive. We had great visit Thursday night with a little family visit. Loud with four children but they have fun together. Now it is peaceful.

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 October 9 Pick. There were THREE 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 again this week but it was won through the block.
AUTO: Natasha gets Silent Night, Haunted Night
Becky gets Grave Sins and
Di gets Shannon Drake - When Darkness Falls
  (Di- you said you had the other Drake title; please let me know on the spreadsheet if you want me to send just one or both books. 

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 9 Pick:
Sue gets Charlaine Harris Pair - won through the block.

Marjorie 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.}

Isn't this a lovely fall book image!

Image found at Storeetllr's Library Thing.

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

PAIRS:
Shannon Drake – When Darkness Falls (Alliance Vampires #2)  and Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
Charlaine Harris – Club Dead and Grave Sight
SINGLES:
A Darker Dream (Love Spell romance) by Amanda Ashley
Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
Cat of Nine Tales by Deborah Macgillivray
Fated (Dark Protectors Book 1) by Rebecca Zanetti
Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine
Primitive by Mark Nykanen (ARC copy)
The Accidental Human (Accidentally Paranormal Novel Book 3) by Dakota Cassidy
The Demon in Me by Michelle Rowen
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Silent Night, Haunted Night (A Nicki Styx Mystery) by Terri Garey
Tombs of Endearment (Pepper Martin Mysteries, No. 3) by Casey Daniels
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

ANTHOLOGIES:
Broken Vows, Mended Hearts by Lynn Stone, Gail Ranstrom and Anne O'Brien
3,2,1 Married! by Sharon Sala, Marie Ferrarella and Beverly Barton
SINGLES:
Only by Your Touch by Catherine Anderson
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
Beloved Enemy by Terri Reed
You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

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

SINGLES:
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Love Me Tomorrow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
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)

SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

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

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

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
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood

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 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
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
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


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 878+ 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!

Audible Review: Annihilation: Love Conquers All by Saxon Andrew

This is entertaining and reminiscent of comic book superheros v alien villains.
Annihilation: Love Conquers All
Written by: Saxon Andrew
Narrated by: Liam Owen

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
Series: Annihilation (Andrew), Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-26-14
Publisher: Saxon Andrew Publishing LLC
Genre: Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Annihilation: Love Conquers All offers humor and a tale of enduring love against the backdrop of galactic war on a grand scale.
Tag, an exceptional young human living in Central City on the planet Earth, tries to keep his powerful, one-of-a-kind skills undetected by leading an ordinary life and staying under the radar. But one day, on the way home from school, Tag's compassion leads him to make a decision that alters the course of his life - and history.
The Alliance of Worlds, which includes Earth as a ruled non-member, has decided that humans are to be annihilated as an example to anyone who discovers an ancient alien technology, even though there is no proof against them. The Alliance thinks fifty thousand warships can do the job. Unfortunately, the humans are not cooperating with their plan and one young human who has fallen in love will change everything...
In this epic story, author Saxon Andrew takes us into the future and the lives of human and nonhuman characters alike. Along with a hearty dose of battles and spaceships, this is a story that offers humor and a tale of enduring love against the backdrop of galactic war on a grand scale.
©March 2011 Saxon Andrew (P)2014 Saxon Andrew Publishing LLC.

Review:
Tag lives in Central City on planet Earth which is a planet that does not have member status but is under the control of The Alliance of Worlds. Tag’s parents realized that he had special skills and warned him not to use them in school or public where others might see him. The human society determines each persons job and right to marry so it is important to work within the system. Tag’s skills are exposed when he first tries to help a friend at school and then must escape a gang attack on the way home. Tag fears he will be punished so he goes into hiding. Three years later Tag’s hideaway is discovered and he must run again. This time he steals a private space ship in hopes of finding refuge far away.

Unfortunately a massive hunt brings Tag down on the moon where he stumbles into forbidden ancient alien technology. The Alliance of Worlds has ruled that any people who discover the forbidden technology must be annihilated to prevent them from possible use or testing or advancement from the technology. Although they can’t be certain that the warning signal came from Earth they have decided they will still destroy the planet as an example.

A near-by Alliance member, the Cainth Empire, are thrilled to be called on to take on the task of supposedly preparing Earth for detainment while they really stall for enough warships to attack the planet. A Cainth general has a personal vendetta against Earth and is looking for any opportunity to attack.

The Cainth swoop in on an Earth Colony and the results of occupation are not pretty. The Cainth believe they can easily overcome the Earth’s puny ships. But Earth has more resources, including Tag’s special powers and a surprisingly powerful ‘friend’, than anyone knows. And the humans are not going to stand by quietly while their world is attacked.

I have to admit I changed my opinion on this story several times. The beginning held some interest as I was curious to see what would happen to Tag. Then I decided the story had shifted into ‘superhero/villain’ comic book mode and I wasn’t sure if I liked that. Yet as I continued to listen I was drawn in by the action and the likeable characters. The romance is sweet but not really a big element. Yes – there is some elementary comic book level writing and plot line but, Hey, it makes for fun entertainment.

I am on the fence as to whether I will pick up the second book in the series. There are just so many books to try. I do recommend this for readers who enjoy superhero, good v evil stories.

Audio Notes: Liam Owen conveys a light voice tone which fits with the younger characters. His voice of the opposing alien characters is rough and a 'comical' villain style, all of which fits the story. The narration makes this more entertaining.

I pulled this from my Audible Library from August 2014. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

World's Best Story 2015 Contest for Writers [Entry due by November 8!]

2015
CONTEST!
Writers submit your Story
Enter for a chance to join
the House of transmedia stories company

What is World's Best Story?

"This is not just a literary contest, we're looking for stories that will be consumed in multiple media formats – from books to the big screen and beyond," says Vincent Salera, founder of World's Best Story. "Our goal is to revolutionize the traditional literary contest and identify a story with blockbuster appeal. We're looking for a story that audiences will love and help authors turn that story into trans-media franchises, which is why we're empowering readers to judge the contest."


How does it work?

Readers will vote for stories and awarded judges will declare the final Top 10 winners.

2015 Judges: Warren Adler, Victor Malarek, Tamarra Kennelly, Brooke Burgess, Samreen Ashan, Alistair Cross, Rhonda Hayter


Timeline:

Entry Period Closes/Public Voting ends. (November 8)

Top 10 Winners Announced! (November 8)

Professional Review/Voting (November 8 - December 8)

Winner and Top 10 Ranking Announced (December 8)


What are the prizes?

The top 3 winners will receive a full publishing package by FriesenPress, trademark protection in the U.S. and Canada by IP agency Benoit & Cote, a virtual book tour by Laura Fabiani of iRead Book Tours as well as consulting/marketing services with book expert Anne Chaconas of BadAss Marketing. Busbud and YoDough will be providing lots of goodies for both writers and readers.

How do I submit my story?

To learn more about World's Best Story, including how to enter, please visit World's Best Story.

World’s Best Story : info@worldsbeststory.com

See what's buzzing at World's Best Story:

How to Get Readers Buzzing About Your Book: Secrets from the World of Book Blogging

Viral campaign with famous characters:

What if Oscar Wilde wrote Sex and the City? (series of posts)

What if Lady Gaga wrote Gone With the Wind? (series of posts)

The Current Top 10 Most Voted Stories

Connect with World's Best Story:

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Pinterest

Enter your story today!

Book Review: Children of the Comet by Donald Moffitt

This is an engaging fantasy dealing with future humans and primitive societies. 

Children of the Comet

by Donald Moffitt

• File Size: 930 KB
• Print Length: 332 pages
• Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (October 13, 2015)
• Publication Date: October 13, 2015
• ASIN: B00VL0WCQ8
• Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In the far future, on top of a gigantic tree rooted in the ice ball of a comet, a young man’s journey leads to unexpected encounters

In this brand-new cosmic adventure by the author of The Genesis Quest and The Jupiter Theft, Torris, son of the Facemaker, knows only his small community at the base of the great Tree on a comet with almost no gravity or atmosphere. Torris’s daily struggle for survival includes harvesting frozen air to keep breathing, dodging flutterbeasts, and hunting meatbeasts for food. When it comes time to make his vision quest to the top of the Tree, Torris is completely unprepared for what he finds: first, a thieving and hostile fellow quester; then, Ning, a female hunter from a neighboring tree-bearing comet, who has catapulted across empty space in search of food to save her family; and ultimately, alien visitors in a massive starship that has spent billions of years crossing the galaxy.

Shocked at the cultural differences between his home and Ning’s and stunned by the changes precipitated by the arrival of the spaceship, Torris must learn quickly, adapt even faster, and face an uncertain and rapidly changing future unlike anything he has ever imagined.

Review:
Torris is a tall, thin and intelligent young man who lives on a tree comet. He has grown up with the duties and traditions of his tribe. He is now of age, with other young men in his tribe, to go on his vision quest to the top of the Tree. They must each climb alone and not help or receive help. Torris starts out well with his air suit, his warming bug, and bows and arrows to help catch food and fight of predators of the Tree which he expected. He didn’t expect to have another young climber scavenge and scatter his pack. Nor did he expect to run into a female from the nearest tree that would soon be close enough for barbaric bride raids from one tree to the other.

The female hunter, Ning, and Torris should kill each other but that is not what happens. They form a shaky alliance during which they learn about each other’s tribes. Torris is impressed with Ning’s intelligence and skills. Ning is impressed by Torris’ kindness and determination.

Meanwhile, far away, there are people from earth who have developed colonies on distant planets. Two groups do not want to stay with the colony. One of the older generations, led by Captain Joorn, wants to return to Earth to see if the Sun has burned up the home planet. Another group, led by Professor Karn and a group of scientists wants to travel beyond. The two make an agreement that they will take the ship and a habitat and return. Once the Earth bound group are dropped off back in Earth’s galaxy, the professor’s group will move on. During the years of travel not everyone agrees to honor the agreement and struggles arise.

The ship finally arrives at the Milky Way Galaxy to discover primitive communities have found a foot hold in comet trees within the Oort Clouds. The ship inhabitants are able to see the tree people and determine that they must step in.

The characters are unique, including a dolphin with its own contraption that allows movement and communication. Torris and Ning are good characters and they make friends with Joorn's grandson and granddaughter.The theories of science, travel, colonization and society growth are interesting and fit the fantasy. The tree world is well developed and the ship antagonisms are consistent with human behavior.

Although I was a bit confused at the beginning of the story I soon became wrapped in the twin story threads as they shifted in chapters toward a cosmic meeting. There were some alarmingly dumb actions - not too surprising from teens trying to find themselves. The writing is easy and smooth, except perhaps for some quantum discussions that were beyond me. I focused more on the people and less on the scientific theories and found this to be an engaging fantasy. I would likely read more by Mr. Moffitt.

This releases October 13, 2015. I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Sunday Post October 11, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 12, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! at Book Journey is active again too.

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 'pushy' work week for me. I keep plugging away at the work. Saturday evening we had a nice visit with our two grandaughters while our daughter and son-in-law celebrated their anniversay. Today after church the girls helped pick the peanuts from the garden. :-)

My reading and listening were good this week if not overly much.  I only finished two books: one print and one ebook. I am well into another ebook and the audio, which is a longer one. I posted three reviews and the usual memes posted.

I enjoyed visiting other blogs early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 4, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 5, 2015.

• Audible Review: The Remaining: Allegiance by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.25.

• Friday Pick Giveaway October 9, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/15/2015.

• Audible Review: The Remaining: Extinction by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and Print Giveaway: First the Dead: A Bug Man Novel by Tim Downs; Mystery; my rating 4.25. Ends 10/17/2015.

• Sharing Beyond Books #223 Comment Giveaway for October 10, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/17/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 11, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Print Book

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, O'Malley Series #1
By Dee Henderson
I enjoyed this light romance. I will post a review this week with giveaway.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Children of the Comet
by Donald Moffitt
This ended up quite entertaining.
I will post a review on release date October 13, 2015.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook Kindle

Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel (The Midnight BreedSeries Book 1)
by Lara Adrian
This is moving very quickly - I am 80% completed.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Written by: Lynne Olson
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
I am 13 hours into this 17 and 1/2 hour audio.
This is really informative and I am enjoying it more than I thought I might.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook Kindle

On the Run (The Elijah Project)
by Bill Myers (Author), James Riordan (Contributor)
This looks like a quick read.
This is another TBR title in my free Kindle library since 2010 but was delayed for my Book Club titles.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle

Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story
(A Year of Weddings Novella)
by Becky Wade
This sounds sweet and 
I am looking forward to reading this.
I received this through NetGalley.
Holly ended things to give him a better life, but she was the future he’d always dreamed of.
Eight years have passed since Holly last saw her high school sweetheart, Josh. Now the wedding of Josh’s best friend has brought him back to Martinsburg, Texas. His duties as best man and Holly's as the church's volunteer wedding coordinator link them together. As they work behind the scenes to plan a beautiful November wedding for their friends, they're forced to confront painful reminders of what might have been.
Holly broke up with Josh all those years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. However, she never told him the true reason behind her actions and now must decide whether to keep her secret hidden. She's terrified of letting herself fall for him because she barely managed to piece her life back together after losing him the last time.
Not a day's gone by since Josh parted from Holly that he hasn't thought about her. The pain of the past eight years has been too much to bear and he doesn't want to make himself vulnerable to her again. But the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to deny the love he still has for her.
Will Josh and Holly risk their hearts on the hope that God's timing really can be best?

5.  TBD -I am likely to pick up another ebook or audio but not sure what yet.


October 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews last week. This left one old plus two new titles from this week.
I finished one book from NetGalley and plan to start another this week. I didn't add any new books (although I was looking) so my waiting NetGalley shelf is now five.
I am pulling in more books off my Kindle and Audible shelves for my TBR Challenge - I just have to read them and not postpone them. :-) 

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 didn't select any review books but I did purchase one ebook; and of course I added more free kindle titles to my library.

(I scanned NetGalley and some of my review requests and nothing is really jumping out at me although I am going to request some new Audio books through Audiobook Jukebox. Other than that I think it is time to work on the TBR piles!)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I didn't resist this one for $.99 - it sounds like one I would like!
Two complete Dystopian series in this boxed set.

Broken Worlds Super Boxset Kindle Edition

Free

Over the past week I again added 62 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.