Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 29, 2017

Happy Friday!
I have enjoyed this week with family and relaxing -- although we are sort of snuggled in to stay out of the cold. 
I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!
Please note - I hope to get all Gift Cards out this weekend; books will have to wait till I return to the office.

I am back to two random winners. Again, I am sorry I haven't gotten that last box listed yet. I don't think I will get to that until my Christmas break time.

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 too 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 December 22 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 no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 22 Pick:
CAROL L gets a book choice TBD;
ALINA 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.}

Here is to a NEW YEAR OF WONDERFUL READING!
Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017 (37 titles)
24 in the top picture and 13 in the lower picture. Not sure that you can read the titles so I will try to list these soon.

THESE BOOKS ARE NOT LISTED YET SO THE ONES CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not


New Book Group #75 September 29, 2017

SINGLES:
THESE LISTED ARE THE ONLY TITLES STILL AVAILABLE IN THIS AND LOWER LISTED BOXES.
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
Morning Song
Daring
Named of the Dragon
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Painted House (audio)

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
SINGLES:
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
SINGLES:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)

New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)

New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016-- All Gone

New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015 -- All Gone

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


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)
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)
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 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)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

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 almost EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,130+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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: The Rancher's Christmas Song by RaeAnne Thayne

This is another charming Thayne Christmas romance.

The Rancher's Christmas Song 
(The Cowboys of Cold Creek)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 2274 KB
Print Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition (November 1, 2017)
ASIN: B06XZN6DLC
Genre: Clean, Holidays, Sweet Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Keep a song in your heart this holiday season…
Music teacher Ella Baker’s plate is already full. But when single dad Beckett McKinley’s wild twin boys need help preparing a Christmas song for their father, Ella agrees on one condition: they teach her to ride a horse. She’s hoping that’ll help mend her strained relationship with her rancher father; it certainly has nothing to do with the crush that’s lingered since her one and only date with Beck.
It isn’t disinterest spurring Beck to keep his distance—if anything, the spark is too strong, with Ella reminding him of his ex-wife. Soon what started as an innocent arrangement is beginning to feel a lot like family. But with the holidays approaching, Beck and Ella will have to overcome past hurts if they want to keep each other warm this Christmas…

Review:
Ella is a music teacher who spent summers on her father’s ranch before returning to the town as an adult to help care for him. She loved the ranch and would love the opportunity to learn and manage the business. Unfortunately, Ella had suffered a severe injury as a child on the ranch and her father can only view her as fragile and needing protection. He believes she will return to her mother’s big city environment as soon as she can. Meanwhile, the neighbors, particularly Beck, help run the ranch.

Beck and Ella are cautious of each other. Beck’s first wife was a city girl and could not manage ranch life, even leaving her twin boys behind when she left Beck. Beck isn’t ready to trust another city girl.

Beck’s twin seven-year-old boys are a handful as everyone, including Ella, knows. They ask to join the Christmas program and then ask a very special favor from Ella. As she directs the program and works closer with the boys, she begins to defend them and begins to warm up to their sometimes intimidating father.

I really liked the strong, sweet chemistry between Ella and Beck. Their growing attraction could certainly have benefitted from some open communication but that is part of the story conflict of course. This read quickly as, once again, Ms. Thayne delivers a heartwarming, clean romance that is a delight to read at holiday time or anytime. I do recommend Ms. Thayne’s books to romance readers who enjoy clean, wholesome and heartwarming stories.

This is another Christmas read from NetGalley. It qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point) by RaeAnne Thayne

This has fun characters and a fun romance.
Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 3039 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (October 1, 2017)
ASIN: B071CJZ1H6
Genre: Clean, Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!
Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…

Review:
Julia appears to be a quiet and seemingly unexceptional young woman (by her own assessment). She is a caring and conscientious librarian and a good friend. She has agreed to help a friend by allowing her brother, Jamie, to rent an upstairs apartment in the big family home she has inherited.

Jamie is a sexy pilot who turns the heads of most women in town. Jamie tends to foster carefree relationships. He has a past experience that caused him to believe he doesn’t deserve to have a true relationship with any ‘good’ woman. Julia tries to be immune especially since she doesn’t want to be heartbroken as his next conquest.

Julia finds two young boys in the children’s section of the library. She sees them there several days and makes friends by sharing her lunch with them. One day she insists on taking them home in the cold weather and learns that they are living alone. Julia ends up fostering the two boys and is glad when Jamie steps in to help.

The boys, Julia and Jamie become close during the Thanksgiving and days leading up to Christmas. Jamie begins to see the beauty under Julia’s quiet exterior. When he accidently finds her ‘bucket list’ he decides to help her fulfill some of those dreams. Julia sees a caring, family side of Jamie and wonders if maybe there could be ‘kisses under the mistletoe’ like she put on her list.

Ms. Thayne has the ability to create real characters and carry them through warm, and sometimes obstacle ridden, scenarios. I enjoyed the push and pull between Julia and Jamie which was set off nicely with the addition of handling two young, frightened but adventurous boys. Both characters have a certain fragility to get beyond if they want to find a happy Christmas together.

I enjoy Ms. Thayne’s writing which makes for warm and easy reading. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet to sensual, small town romance.

I received this through NetGalley and it qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Gift From The Stars by James Gunn

This is interesting, hard science fiction with the requisite element of irony.

Gift From The Stars
by James Gunn

File Size: 903 KB
Print Length: 154 pages
Publisher: Reputation Books (December 30, 2013)
ASIN: B00FM2RFM2
Genre: Hard Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

The age-old question about alien existence and human contact is explored in a new way in this collection of six novellas, previously anthologized in ANOLOG magazine. When disillusioned aerospace engineer Adrian Mast buys a book at a remainder sale, the last things he expects to find in its appendix are alien spacecraft designs. With the help of the bookstore owner, Adrian tracks down the author—only to find him in a mental institution anguishing over the intentions of the aliens who sent the designs to him. By bluffing a bureaucrat intent on thwarting their progress, the two friends continue their quest for the stars and go ahead with the spacecraft designs. Having successfully launched their ship 15 years later, the questions that remain are: What were the intentions of the aliens? and Is mankind ready to face what's out there?

Review:
This is an interesting look at man’s quest to reach and explore the stars. It did not strike me as six novellas but as a continuing work.

Adrian Mast is a disillusioned aerospace engineer who left his ‘going nowhere’ job and opened his own consulting business. He comes upon a strange book at a local bookstore he likes to browse. The title is “Gift From the Stars” and in the appendix are what Adrian believes to be viable spacecraft designs. He questions the bookstore owner, Frances, about the author and publisher and her research reveals more mystery.

Adrian and Frances set off to find the author whom they locate in a mental institute. Peter is brilliant but paranoid as a result of his view of the alien ‘gift. Adrian and Frances trick a government bureaucrat into pursing the ‘alien’ plans for a remarkable energy source. The result ushers in a worldwide era of peace with free energy. From there, Adrian and Frances, joined by a young woman who was sent as a spy but becomes caught up in their quest, continue the goal of building the spaceship. They pull together a small team who build the ship and head into space. Although they hope to find the aliens they think invited them through the gift, they are a little surprised when they discover that Peter has programmed the computer to take the ship on the alien path. Along the way they are caught in a wormhole time warp which they have to escape. When they arrive to the apparent destination, there are many other ships, but no welcoming committee. Again they must explore to uncover the puzzles of the mysterious planet.

The story is engaging although a bit strange. It has a certain believability and kept my interest. The ending might be considered a bit of a letdown but it seemed an appropriate ‘landing’ for the author’s apparent purpose. The author manages to present differing views of man’s fear and boldness when faced with the possibilities of exploring space. Through the adventure there are different reactions, reluctance and dreams. I felt the ending left me, the reader, contemplating my feelings about the opportunities and experience of space exploration. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy hard science fiction with an appropriate amount of irony and humor.

I received this through NetGalley and it qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley and Alphabet Soup Challenges.

Sunday Post December 24, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 25, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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.

We had another crazed week at work with me getting home after 9pm several nights. I stayed up late Friday night to pack so we could travel to visit our son and daughter-in-law for the holidays. We did the drive in 14 hours on Saturday and I didn't even listen to books too much as I helped drive and napped a little in between. I have been spending time helping to watch/entertain the 16 month old twins and our five year old granddaughter. No time for computer until they are put in bed for the night. :-)
We really like seeing the soft snow on Sunday but we are not used to the cold, 20-35, weather.
I still need to get reviews, ending challenge posts and challenges for 2018 up this week.
I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas!!

I enjoyed some but not really all of my listening and reading last week. I finished one Audible, one CD audio, one print and one ebook. I posted two reviews and minimal of the usual memes.

I visited only 21 blogs early in the week.
No Shout Out this week as I was focused on getting through the week and the visits.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 17, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 18, 2017.

• PTBR-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: The Vision and Beyond by David Wilkerson; Prophesy, Religion & Spirituality; my rating 4.25. Ending 12/29/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Letters form Atlantis by Robert Silverberg; Fantasy, Sci Fi, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 22, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/28/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement - Merry Christmas Eve December 24, 2017.

• Blessed Merry Christmas 12/25/2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Saving Grace
By: Lee Smith
Narrated by: Christina Moore
This was not a very happy listen for the holidays.
Certainly not a favorite for me.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/CD

About a Dog
By: Jenn McKinlay
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Series: Bluff Point Romances, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
I had some issues with this story too.
I received this CD audiobook from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print/Ladies Book Club

The Christmas Code Booklet
by O. S. Hawkin
I enjoyed this Advent reading preparing for Christmas.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Coiled
by H. L. Burke
This is a 'fairytale' story with sorrow and joy.
I really liked it.
Received from NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Print (Publisher)

Into the Guns (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz
I am finding the action in this interesting.
I received this from the publisher to read before book three which I got at NetGalley.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Legion of the Damned® Novels and The Mutant Files comes the first novel in a post-apocalyptic military science fiction series about America rising from the ashes of a global catastrophe...
On May Day, 2018, sixty meteors entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded around the globe with a force greater than a nuclear blast. Earthquakes and tsunamis followed. Then China attacked Europe, Asia, and the United States in the belief the disaster was an act of war.
Washington D.C. was a casualty of the meteor onslaught that decimated the nation’s leadership and left the surviving elements of the armed forces to try and restore order as American society fell apart.
As refugees across America band together and engage in open warfare with the military over scarce resources, a select group of individuals representing the surviving corporate structure makes a power play to rebuild the country in a free market image as The New Confederacy...

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Cast in Shadow
Chronicles of Elantra, Book 1
By: Michelle Sagara
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins
I am finding this entertaining
although not compelling.
I picked this from my Audible TBR Shelf.
Publisher's Summary
Seven years ago, Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered— and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin….
Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and the immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.
But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging. Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers—powers that no other human has. Her task is simple—find the killer, stop the murders… and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!
Spellbound? Listen to more Chronicles of Elantra.
©2011 Michelle Sagara (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)
I will start another NetGalley I am sure before next weekend/next year but I haven't decided what yet.

I am reading stories with the grandkids so I will have some of those to list before the year is over.

December 25, 2017 - I am a day ahead and enjoying the last week of reading in the One Year Bible. I have been reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed 4 books and posted only 2 reviews. I still have 10 reviews to finish for the end of this year.  Maybe I'll have some time this week to double up reviews. 
I am three-four weeks (sigh) behind linking my reviews at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is at 21. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie.

We're working on two more fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I bought one Audible daily deal and one $.99 Kindle title this week.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I bought one Kindle ebook for $.99
Voice in the Wilderness (Against All Enemies Book 1)
by H. L. Wegley



I bought one Audible Daily Deal on 12/24 for $2.95:
The Autobiography of Santa Claus
By: Jeff Guinn
Narrated by: John H. Mayer
Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Free

Since I was away from computer several days, I only added 32 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.