Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 8, 2019

Happy Friday! Another week that started wet but has now warmed up. :-)

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 February 1, 2019 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. Sorry - One title was blocked.
CAROLL gets Irish Charmers
and
BECKY gets Christmas Brides

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 1, 2019 Pick:
Ashfa gets a GC
and
Elizabeth gets The Snow Angel Audiobook

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 reading some romance for February. Maybe I'll find some favorites.
Image found at Always Kindergarten.

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Brides Anthology
Holiday in Death
Christmas Homecoming
Together by Christmas Anthology
The Christmas Date
The Christmas Promise (hardback)
A Blue and Grey Christmas (hardback)
The Snow Angel (CD Audiobook)
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
PAIRS:
Kat Martin: Bold Angel and Devil's Prize
Elizabeth Lowell: Death Is Forever and Running Scared
SINGLE
It Takes a Hero by Elizabeth Boyle
Two Alone by Sandra Brown
'Tween a Devil and his hard Place by Sam Cheever
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue
Hot Pursuit by Christinea Skye
Sisters & Secrets Anthology
Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback
Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Pairs:
Stella Cameron: French Quarter and Key West
Jude Deveraux: Mulberry Tree and Wild Orchids
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Unmasked Anthology - Jennifer Blake, Janet Dailey and Elizabeth Gage
Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Finer Things by Brenda Joyce
Wicked Promise by Kat Martin
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller and White Wolf by Lindsay McKenna
Eagle and the Dove by Victoria Morrow
To Love Again by Bertrice Small
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith
Primal Obsession by Susan Vaughn

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:

No One Left to Tell is MP3
Kisscut is Cassettes
Dark Summer is CDs
Pairs:
Kay Hooper and
Carla Neggers Red Clover Inn
SINGLES
Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers
Best Laid Plans
Bound For Murder
Asking for Murder
Pretty Poison
Darkness Tell Us
Last Writes (A Jaine Austen Mystery Series Book 2) by Laura Levine
Don’t Tell a Soul by S. K. McClafferty - MSE has on Kindle 2013
Zombies of the Gene Pool
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
Fern Michaels and James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Green Trap
End Game
Night School
The Red Tent
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Secrets of Paris
Linda Goodnight
Irish Charmers, the Mighty Quinns
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

PAIRS
Johanna Lindsey Pair
Judith Krentz Pair
SINGLES
Midnight Rainbow
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Betrayed
My Dark Prince
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes
Brothers of Gwynedd
Fatal Defect
Bones of the Sea and Other Stories
By a Spider's Thread



New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,220+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year 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!

Audible Book Review: Defiance, Defending Home, Book 1 by William H. Weber

This was an okay homesteading battle but not compelling post-apocalyptic.

Defiance

By: William H. Weber

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Series: Defending Home, Book 1

Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 07-25-16

Language: English

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; 3.75 Story, 4.25 Narration.

Publisher's Summary

A month has passed since a deadly virus swept the country, killing millions and leaving chaos in its wake. Dale Hardy has managed to weather the storm by hunkering down on his homestead in Arizona. He grows his own crops, generates his own power, and draws fresh water from his own deep aquifer. But when a nearby town's water supply dwindles in the searing Arizona heat, Dale's peaceful existence is threatened.

The new mayor and sheriff want what he has, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. With a crooked local government conspiring against him, Dale will need to stand in defiance or risk losing everything.

©2016 William H. Weber (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Dale Hardy had tried to prepare for trouble. He has learned to grow his own crops, generate power and draw fresh water from the aquifer on his land which has been in his family for generations. A deadly virus has killed many people throughout the country, leaving behind chaos and lack of power during a time of severe draught. Dale hunkered in and drew his family together to help protect them from the virus and the violence that has begun to break out as resources, particularly food and water, become scarce.

Dale’s water trouble started when neighbors began demanding water, then armed strangers tried to sneak in and steal water. But now a newly self-appointed mayor and sheriff are trying to take away his water and they are willing to send in cutthroats to accomplish their goal.

Dale isn’t backing down. He may be willing to trade water for other commodities but if he isn’t willing to just give a cup of water to neighbors, he sure isn’t going to stand by while corrupt officials try to take his water.

There are personal issues to add to the tension. Dale was dating a female deputy until he became concerned that his young daughter would hear the false rumors that he had been seeing the deputy before his wife died. One of the relatives is a young man whose father was sent to prison. The prisoner has broken out and is intent on getting to his son, even as he leaves a trail of death behind him.

I generally like post-apocalyptic books. This one was centered on water shortage more than the plague crisis. There wasn’t a lot of prepper detail but there was private, defensive (initially) action. I didn’t feel there was a lot of character depth and, although I could side with Dale, I wasn’t impassioned by the story or characters. I listened all the way through, expecting a confrontation but just as that arrives, this book ends. It was okay but I am likely to try other series before continuing this one.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce does a good job with this genre. He presents the story with a direct flow and the characters with appropriate emotion. I think it was easier for me to listen to this on audio than it would have been for me to read in text.

Source: September 2018 Audible $1.99 Purchase (already owned Kindle version). This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga by Aleron Kong

This was fun listening.
The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga
By: Aleron Kong
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Chaos Seeds, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-21-17
Language: English
Publisher: Tamori Publications LLC
Genre: Humorous, LitRPG, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.5 Story; 5.0 Narration.

Publisher's Summary
Welcome to The Land, Audible's 2018 Customer Favorite!
Book 1 of a 7-Book international best-selling series that will amaze and delight you for weeks!
Enter a mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones.
Number One Audiobook 2017
75 Thousand Five Star Reviews
Welcome my friends! Welcome... to "The Land!"
Tricked into a world of banished gods, demons, goblins, sprites and magic, Richter must learn to meet the perils of The Land and begin to forge his own kingdom. Actions have consequences across The Land, with powerful creatures and factions now hell-bent on Richter's destruction.
Can Richter forge allegiances to survive this harsh and unforgiving world or will he fall to the dark denizens of this ancient and unforgiving realm?
A tale to shake "The Land" itself, measuring 10/10 on the Richter scale, how will Richter's choices shape the future of The Land and all who reside in it? Can he grow his power to meet the deadliest of beings of the land? When choices are often a shade of grey, how will Richter ensure he does not become what he seeks to destroy?
PS - Gnomes Rule
Please LIKE Aleron Kong on Facebook. He also does almost weekly giveaways of shirts, signed books, and other loot! facebook.com/LitRPGbooks
FB The Land Forum: facebook.com/groups/AleronKong. If you want to discuss The Land with other members of the Mist Village Mafia, join us!
Website: LitRPG.com. Come check out custom artwork from The Land, find awesome loot and find more LitRPG. Includes a link to the author's Patreon page: "I am an indie author, meaning no publisher. If you would like access to early chapters of unreleased books or even to have yourself written into the books, check out my Patreon. Help me make more books!"
Instagram: @LitRPGBooks
Twitter: @LitRPGBooks
©2016 Tamori Publications (P)2017 Tamori Publications

Review:
A role-playing game (RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. They build on character traits, knowledge and physical skills; they gather supplies (inventory), gain experience points and increase learning in many areas, including magic. James was a RPG (role-player game) player with his friends but suddenly he finds himself no longer in his world but within The Land where his RPG comes with real life (sort of) consequences.

Richter (formerly known as James) meets an imp who tries to bring him up to speed on his new world. As he sets out to explore this new world, he meets a forest tribe of wood sprites and agrees to his first quest. Although his first escort, Sion, goes along with reluctance, the sprite soon becomes a companion and more. The story follows Richter and Sion as they proceed from one quest to another. Along the way Richter acquires his own village to protect, build and populate.

There is action, danger, puzzles to unravel and monsters to kill. There are friends made to help in the quests forward and enemies made to avoid or battle. As this story proceeds, Richter is able to check his stats (statistics) to see his health, strengths, abilities, skills, inventory, characters, and reputation. It has been a long time since I have had the time to play an RPG. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the bells and whistles that signaled new skills and leveling up. I liked the adventure and will continue the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy LitRPG (Literary RPG) or those who like adventure and are willing to give this genre a try.

Audio Notes: Nick Podehl does an excellent job portraying the various characters. He imbues them with appropriate voice and personality. This is the second book I have listened to recently narrated by Nick Podehl and I am impressed by the strength of his presentation. There was also the addition of bells and whistles and sounds to this production. The narration and audio added to my enjoyment of the work.

Source: November 2017 Audible Daily Deal Purchase. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Quinn's Promise Rock by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson

This is an absolutely charming delivery of foundation trust in God.

Quinn's Promise Rock: No Matter Where, God Is Always There

by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson

Age Range: 3 - 7 years

Grade Level: 1 - 2

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (February 5, 2019)

ISBN-13: 978-0736974325

Genre: Children, Christian

My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Help Your Child Grab Hold of God's Promises

Quinn, the thoughtful little owl, has a lot of worries and questions for her father.

"What if I get lost?"

"What if you dive and I don't notice?"

"What if you get too far ahead of me and I can't find you?"

Written for children experiencing moments of separation anxiety or other common fears, Quinn's Promise Rock reminds kids that God will always be there for them, whatever happens or wherever they go. Share this comforting truth with your child today.

Review:
Quinn is a little owl who is about to experience her first night outing with her father. She has natural childlike fears: What if I get lost? What if I can’t see you? Quinn’s loving father gives her assurances that he will not let her get lost and he will be there. Then her father goes further to assure little Quinn that God will always be there for her.

This is a short children’s book that is direct and charming. It focuses on one message: God, our heavenly father, will always be there for His children. The soft, beautiful illustrations fit perfectly with the gentle prose. I would love to share this with young children to help teach this important basic message!

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019NetGalley and 2019Alphabet Goals.

MBS January 2019 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2019 Reading List - JANUARY

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
eb = eBook; ebA = eBook from Author; ebT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2019
Favorite for January: Quinn’s Promise Rock 5.0
    The Name of the Wind 4.5
    Half Share 4.5

1. ebTBR/LBC- Book Review (First Book 2019): The Prayer of Jesus by Kevin Jackson; Christian, Spiritual Growth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The More of Less by Joshua Becker; Cleaning, Nonfiction, Self Help; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
3. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Talon of Scorpio: A Novel of the Shadowstorm by G. T. Almasi; Conspiracies, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
4. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Don't Dangle Your Participle by Vanita Oelschlager; Children, Educational, Grammar, Writing; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1) by Patrick Rothfuss; Action Adventure, Epic Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.
6. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones; Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
7. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Flicker of Hope by Julia Cook, MacKenzie Haley (Illustrator); Children, Emotions, Self-Esteem and Self-Respect; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
8. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin; Amateur Sleuth, Mystery, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
9. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Promise Me Texas by Jodi Thomas; Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall.
10. ebA2018- Book Review: Aether's Call by John Farr; Science Fiction, Space Exploration; My Rating: 2.0 of 5.0.
11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Half Share A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 2 by Nathan Lowell; Mercantile, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.5, Narration 5.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga by Aleron Kong; Humorous, LitRPG, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.
13. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Quinn's Promise Rock by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson; Children, Christian; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Defiance, Defending Home, Book 1 by William H. Weber; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 14; TBR = 13; New Authors = 10
Audio/Audible = 6 (6 TBRs)
eBook = 2 (2 TBRs)
NetGalley = 6 (5 TBRs)
Print = 0

Goal Progress:

• ebTBRs - 2
• Author review title - 1
• New to me Series - 5
• Continuing for me Series - 3
• January title - 1
• Winter title - 1
• Alphabet letters covered - 13