Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 8, 2015

Happy Friday!
Time is moving so quickly toward mid-year already! As I see news of the tornadoes in Oklahoma, Kansas and other states, and hear of storms elsewhere, I hope everyone is staying safe. 

TO ENTER:

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

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

Thank you to all who entered the May 1 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, but it was won.
holdenj gets The Parent Trap Anthology
Rubynreba gets the Mariah Stewart Pair
Rita gets the Mary Higgins Clark Pair

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 1 Pick:
Llehn gets a GC

LindaK gets Dead Even (through a block)

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.}

Don't you love sharing books with friends?

Image found at ProjectLearn.

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

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

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

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


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

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes



BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

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


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

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


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


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

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

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 814+ 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 Book Review: StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1 by Mike Lee

This is a wonderfully engaging scifi with great strategy in military and legal elements.
StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1
Written by: Mike Lee
Narrated by: Jason Brenizer

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
Series: Vince Lombard, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-13-14
Publisher: Michael L. Trimble
Genre: Sci-Fi Contemporary
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Captain Vince Lombard, G-Marine company commander, is tasked with tracking down a stray ship. The Alliance Military Ship StarFire has gone silent, and previous attempts to locate her have resulted in the loss of more ships. After two previous wars with xenospecies humanity bumped into while expanding into space, no one knows what might be the cause of StarFire's missing in action status. And internal politics between Fleet command and the Galactic Marine Corps might mean that, unless something is done, humanity may get the news it's at war with yet another new race about the time they show up to attack one of the human systems in the sector.
A prequel to the book Fey, this story is a novelization of the story Vince related to Blondie in the previous book, which many readers requested. I'm happy to accommodate my readers by providing this novel-length version of that story.
©2012 Mike Lee (P)2014 Mike Lee

Review:
Captain Vince Lombard is a highly successful GI Marine commander who respects his men and demands respect. He carefully thinks ahead, and, when need be, thinks outside of the box. That may include bending, if not breaking, a few regulations when the situation demands it - as in saving his men. Vince accepts responsibility for his decisions, sharing the praise with his team but claiming the guilt for himself.

Vince is directed by his superior to locate a missing Naval asset, the Alliance Military Ship StarFire. The StarFire is the biggest ship ever built, with the ability to hold at least a thousand of the best trained Naval troops. The StarFire headed out into space but unexpectedly went silent. Two Naval sloops sent to investigate have gone silent too.

Vince’s commanding officer has one chance to get information on the situation before Naval forces arrive to take control. He trusts Vince to handle the mission: locate the StarFire, determine its status and get a report back. Did the StarFire and the sloops hit an area where communication is blocked or has something worse occurred? Has the ship been overtaken by alien forces who might use the huge weapon against mankind?

Vince knows he won’t have a chance fighting the StarFire so he prepares for the next best thing - speed to run if necessary. He chooses one transport/lander that will carry his well seasoned Master Sergeant, Alvin, with a platoon of 50 men. His commander insists he take at least three ships so he adds two long range fighters, known for distance and speed, with volunteer pilots rumored to be the sharpest. He adds one tech geek, Duggard, hoping the creative computer guy can help disguise the common communication system if needed.

What Vince’s crew find is a puzzle and a situation that they are lucky to survive with minimal, though painful, losses. In spite of a mostly successful mission, Vince now has to undergo a Fleet inquiry to determine if he will face a court-martial.

The writing is sharp and well paced with good story telling and showing. I enjoyed the author’s creative use of fluctuating time settings: Prior to Action; After Action, Action, Inquiry and After Inquiry. Exciting action unfolds as Vince remembers and gives his verbal statement to an investigative officer in preparation of the formal hearing. I loved all aspects of the story. The primary characters are well developed and likable. Vince’s revelations put me right there in the action from tactical strategizing to battle execution with the difficulties related to outer space. I also enjoyed the legal process and Vince’s skillful and psychological handling of the investigator, ‘prosecuting’ attorney and panel.

This was a great story and I highly recommend it to those who love action plus battle strategy in a combat setting and in a court setting! Readers with military and/or legal background or interest should enjoy this. Another big plus is that the book is clear of foul language - Thank you, Mr. Lee! I am very anxious to get book 2, Fey, which was actually written first. I will have to get it on Kindle as it, unfortunately, isn’t available at Audible.

Audio Notes: Jason Brenizer does a good job with narration although, while listening I thought the narration was little dry and there could have been a bit more excitement. However, after re-listening to parts as I prepared this review, I have decided that the narration fit perfectly with Vince’s (mostly) calm and level demeanor. This is a story I could imagine myself listening to again which is rare for me! I recommend the audio as a totally engaging listen.

This title was from my own Audible library; selected 8/30/14. This qualifies for 2015 Audio Challenge and TBR list.

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One) by A.C. James

This is an engaging beginning to what promises to be an interesting, albeit steamy, romance.

Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)

by A.C. James

• File Size: 1203 KB
• Print Length: 56 pages
• Publisher: Wandering Impulse Press (April 29, 2015)
• ASIN: B00WC20C02
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 29, 2015
PUCA MATES SHORT #1
*** This a not a full-length book. This novella is part one of a serial romance.***
Felicity Forrest has the perfect job as an investigative blogger for Everyday Supernatural. This curvy girl gets sent to the Aran Islands to find out whether a púca shape shifter is responsible for the strange accidents haunting a construction site.
Niall O’Leary is tall, broody, and totally alpha. His mission is to discover why the veil between the human world and the Realm has lifted. And as the Chieftain’s son he must find a mate or his twin will be promised to a stallion he despises. He has a duty to his family, his clan, and a need for offspring. Otherwise the púca could become nothing more than folklore.
Passion and frustration ignite when a curvy human female tempts his inner stallion like no other. There’s only one problem... She just got out of a relationship that left her broken hearted. Is she ready for a second chance at love?
Reader Note: This book is for those who are 18+. It contains explicit language, sexual situations, and one helluva cliffhanger. However, if you like curvy shifter romance, a stallion who can’t resist his curvy woman, and a dash of humor, then this is the story for you. Please read these installments in order. Enjoy!

Puca Mates Series/Serial Reading Order:
Ride: Awakening – Episode One
Ride: The Bet – Episode Two
Ride: Out Cold – Episode Three
Ride: The Veil – Episode Four

Categories: BBW Short Stories, Two-Hour Romance Short Reads

Review:
Felicity is a young woman who was hurt by a boyfriend who belittled her curvy proportions. She has avoided men for the past six months while she tries to get over the ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile she has focused on her interesting job as an investigative blogger for a site that explores and reports on the claims and mysteries of supernatural events.

Felicity is planning to spend a night celebrating a birthday with her good friend, Cyn (think ‘Sin’). Instead, Felicity is sent on assignment to the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, where she is to investigate a claimed sighting of a puca shape shifter. Felicity invites Cyn to join her for some fun away from home.

Niall is a tall, strong and gorgeous. His father has given him an ultimatum to choose a mate as they must continue their species. Niall isn’t interested in settling down but he knows he will comply eventually because of special circumstances in his family. His priority right now though is to find out why the veil hiding his world has lifted several months before the usual time of the Samhain (October).

The girls visit a local pub and are soon joined by two handsome locals, Niall and his friend, Tomas. Tomas walks Cyn home and Niall takes Felicity for a walk and talk. Although Niall may be resistant to finding a mate, his inner stallion has other feelings. The puca spirit immediately wants to claim Felicity as his own. Although Felicity is shocked to be invited for a surprising ride on a beautiful horse, that doesn’t mean she is going to give in so easily to a rather arrogant man, no matter how sexy he is.

Ms. James does a good job developing the characters and setting up an interesting story. I enjoyed the presentation through alternating point of views of Felicity and Naill.  I admit I was a little leery of this after agreeing to read and review it as I thought it might be too bold for my tastes. I was pleasantly surprised that this first installment begins a good story and has limited sexual exposure. Yes, there is some innuendo, a few stark words and a few ‘stark’ sights.

 I am not sure if I will continue with the series due to the warnings of explicit language and sexual situations. On the other hand - I am intrigued by the storyline and would like to know the mystery tied to the Pucas and what trouble is being stirred up by whom. I recommend this for readers who enjoy sexy, steamy, shape shifter stories.

I received this first installment for Blog Tour and an honest review.

Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WC20C02
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WC20C02
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00WC20C02
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00WC20C02

Author Bio: A.C. James

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A.C. James writes paranormal romance and erotica, including Eternal Ever After which was featured in the bestselling Spice Box anthology. She pounds out sexy scenes at her keyboard where romance is laced with horror in hot stories of vampires and bad boy werewolves. Her stories feature strong heroines and alpha heroes, with plenty of action, twists, and turns that will keep you turning pages.

A.C. resides in northeast Pennsylvania where she entertains her husband with her imaginative yarns and quirky sense of humor. She spends her time drinking large vats of coffee while taming two toddlers by day and writing by night. Recovering video game beta tester and tech geek who grew-up going to cons and watching SmackDown. There’s probably some cosplay pictures around somewhere of her dressed up as Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J. Just don’t tell anyone.

Some Random Facts About A.C. James (in case you were wondering or if you’re just really, really bored)
Favorite Fictional Characters: Buffy & Damon Salvatore
Eric Northman or Bill Compton? Eric Northman every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Favorite Films: The Princess Bride, Idiocracy, & anything with Paul Rudd or Seth Rogan. She also displays a weakness for musicals.
Television: The Walking Dead, True Blood, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, & Big Bang Theory
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Addictions: Coffee, Wine, & Sushi… Oh, and sometimes Tuaca or Sake. Hula hooping and singing to 80s songs in her minivan while no one is looking.
Memberships: The Pocono-Lehigh Romance Writers (Romance Writers of America Chapter 174)
What she likes to read? She grew up reading the Choose Your Own Adventure series before graduating to L.J. Smith’s paranormal romance books long before television made the Vampire Diaries popular. Loves reading erotic romance, bdsm romance, and erotica. She’s a huge Tiffany Reisz fan girl. But who doesn’t love hot Catholic priests that are into BDSM?

Social Media Links
Website: http://www.acjames.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AC-James/129228540578101
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACJamesauthor
Pinterest :https://www.pinterest.com/authoracjames/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ACJames/posts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy0shR7xrlQuD4tfx3D8sXQ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7126571.A_C_James
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/A.C.-James/e/B00D9DT7Y0/

A.C. James’s Ride: Episode One – Awakening

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card
$20 Amazon Gift Card
Paperback Books: Leopold's Wicked Embrace by Kym Grosso & Within The Shadows by Julieanne Lynch

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RAFFLECOPTER LINK:
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3707964e8/

Get Kids Reading! Check Out Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge!

Popular children’s authors are coming together to create 12 original short stories exclusively for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – a free, online program to help kids stay reading during the summer vacation months in order to avoid the learning loses called the “summer slide.”
This is a perfect fit for those trying to find FREE and fun ways to keep kids reading this summer.

Authors include:
· R.L. Stine

· Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pierce (co-authored)

· Gordon Korman

· Michael Northtrop

· Varian Johnson

· Jude Watson

· Blue Balliet

· Patrik Henry Bass

· Roland Smith

· Tui T. Sutherland

· Lauren Tarshis

· Wendy Wan-Long Shang

For more information: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/SummerReadingChallenge

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 4, 2015

This meme starts at Book Journey! My prayers continue for Sheila's family.


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.

I have felt better this week although I still have a few sniffles which might be allergy related. Work is steady with a few bumps to take care of.    

I enjoyed my reading and got in some good listening.  I finished two eBooks and three audios.  I posted three reviews (two with giveaways). I also posted the usual memes. :-)

Once again I visited blogs early in the week but not later.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 20, 2015.

• Book Review and Giveaways: Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Rafflecopter ends 5/3; Separate ebook giveaway ends 5/8/15.

• Book Review and Giveaways: The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson; Steampunk, YA; my rating 3.75. Rafflecopter ends 5/15/15.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 1, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/7/2015.

• Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin; Military Thriller, my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #201 Comment Giveaway 5/2/15; Open Worldwide. Ends 5/9/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 3, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible

The Snow Queen
Written by: Hans Christian Andersen
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
This was quick and different. I'll do a quick review later this week..
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story
by Brooke Johnson
I enjoyed the steampunk aspects of this story.
The review and tour giveaway are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)
by A.C. James
I received this for Blog Tour and liked it.
My review will post May 6.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 29, 2015
PUCA MATES SHORT #1
*** This a not a full-length book. This novella is part one of a serial romance.***
Felicity Forrest has the perfect job as an investigative blogger for Everyday Supernatural. This curvy girl gets sent to the Aran Islands to find out whether a púca shape shifter is responsible for the strange accidents haunting a construction site.
Niall O’Leary is tall, broody, and totally alpha. His mission is to discover why the veil between the human world and the Realm has lifted. And as the Chieftain’s son he must find a mate or his twin will be promised to a stallion he despises. He has a duty to his family, his clan, and a need for offspring. Otherwise the púca could become nothing more than folklore.
Passion and frustration ignite when a curvy human female tempts his inner stallion like no other. There’s only one problem... She just got out of a relationship that left her broken hearted. Is she ready for a second chance at love?
Categories: BBW Short Stories, Two-Hour Romance Short Reads

4. Audible

StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1
Written by: Mike Lee
Narrated by: Jason Brenizer
I really liked this military sci fi story 
from my own Audible library.
 I will post a review this week.
Publisher's Summary
Captain Vince Lombard, G-Marine company commander, is tasked with tracking down a stray ship. The Alliance Military Ship StarFire has gone silent, and previous attempts to locate her have resulted in the loss of more ships. After two previous wars with xenospecies humanity bumped into while expanding into space, no one knows what might be the cause of StarFire's missing in action status. And internal politics between Fleet command and the Galactic Marine Corps might mean that, unless something is done, humanity may get the news it's at war with yet another new race about the time they show up to attack one of the human systems in the sector.
A prequel to the book Fey, this story is a novelization of the story Vince related to Blondie in the previous book, which many readers requested. I'm happy to accommodate my readers by providing this novel-length version of that story.
©2012 Mike Lee (P)2014 Mike Lee

5. Audible

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

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1)
by Lori Wick
Ladies Book Club did meet on May 2 but not all of us had finished the book, including me.
I am enjoying the writing style
and character driven story.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP4

Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy
Written by: Debra Holland
Narrated by: Lara Asmundson
I am enjoying this sweet story from my Audible library.
Publisher's Summary
The well-educated daughter of a lawyer, Trudy Bauer arrives at the St. Louis based Mail-Order Brides of the West agency full of excitement for an adventure of a lifetime. She befriends the agency's maid, Evie Davenport, and the two form a strong and lasting friendship. They vow to stay in contact through letters when Evie takes hold of her destiny and arranges a marriage on the sly. Each brave young woman is ready to face whatever an unknown groom and life in Montana can throw her way.
In Holland's book, bride-to-be Trudy Bauer rides the train to Sweetwater Springs, in a Montana Sky Novel. In Fyffe's novel, house servant Evie Davenport travels by stagecoach to Y Knot, Montana in a McCutcheon Family Novel. Through their correspondence, the friends keep each other abreast of their hardships, trials, and tribulations - some of heartbreak, some of love.
©2013 Debra Holland (P)2014 Debra Holland

3. eBook/Kindle

The Shadow Cartel (The Dominic Grey Series)
by Layton Green
I have just started this and 
I think there will be lots of action.
I received this through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2015
The sins of the past always return…
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.

I expect I will start a fourth book but I have so many to choose from I'll wait to pick. :-)

5/3/15- I am up to date on Bible reading but not the daily Devotions. I am only reading those sporadically.
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. -- Really enjoying my Bible reading. It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. To go a step beyond the Bible reading I am also reading Jesus Daily 365 Interactive Devotions.

May Scheduled -
5/6/15 Tour Book Review Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One) by A.C. James
No specific date: The Cancer Solution by Jack C. Westman
5/27/15 Tour Book Review Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1) by Christi J. Whitney
5/28/15 Tour Book Review The Clockwork Crown (Clockwork Dagger Novels Book 2) by Beth Cato

I posted three reviews last week which leaves four for this week - so far. :-)
I am reading another NetGalley title this week, plus I added one, which gives me five after the one I am reading. I'm thinking I will get to a TBR title this week too.

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 added three review titles and one purchase this week.
Of course I downloaded more free kindle titles to my library.
(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this title from the author for Blog Tour review May 6.
Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)
by A.C. James
"Passion and frustration ignite when a curvy human female tempts his inner stallion like no other. There’s only one problem... She just got out of a relationship that left her broken hearted. Is she ready for a second chance at love?"
Puca Mates Series/Serial Reading

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox.

The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: 
The Cynster Novels, Book 21

Written by: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

"What happens when fate, love, and passion collide?

The number one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion."

I received this through NetGalley by invitation to review.
My review will post June 30. Release date July 1.

A New Hope (Thunder Point Series)
by Robyn Carr
"Starting over is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and friends become family, it's possible to find yourself again."

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased one Kindle title for $.99 because it really caught my inerest:

The Guardian's Angel 
by Lorrie Farrelly

Free

Over the past week I only added 42 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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 3, 2015

We were short in the choir this morning but that didn’t stop us from praising!
Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared parts of a CD from Jonathan Cahn. It is called The Mystery of the Shemita Unlocked. It is very exciting and my husband will probably order a copy for us.

Our Pastor's Sermon was entitled “There is Joy in Knowing Jesus.” He noted how important relationships are with our pets, cats, dog, birds and other animals. Even more important are our relationships with people. But most important is our relationship with God and Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and his blood covers our sins. Salvation is a free gift through God’s grace. We don't have to work, in fact cannot work, for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9. We cannot save ourselves but it is our choice to receive the gift by faith. Romans 10:9. Our faith is not a matter of just fire insurance. Once we believe and accept the gift, it is our responsibility to stand on faith, walk by faith and seek righteousness, through His power.

The nature of fallen man is sin. Anyone who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17; James 2:10. Men are full of excuses that keep us in our sin. God can’t heal us or change us if we don’t acknowledge our faults and recognize our need for Him.

There is good news-- people do not go to hell for sin, but because they reject Jesus (God’s grace given in place of God’s law). When we are reborn through faith in Christ Jesus, we get a new nature - a nature of love, holiness and righteousness. We are no longer slaves to our sins. Satan wants us to live under guilt but God/Jesus does not condemn us. If we truly repent, we turn from our sinful ways and seek to live in God’s Will. When we abide in our relationship with Jesus then we can have joy in freedom from guilt and joy in the abundant blessings of assurance and peace that God bestows on His children.

Pastor ended the message with the well known hymn: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is not the hymn version but I found it and liked it.
Nothing But the Blood by Matt Redman

Verse for Today:
Romans 6:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin,

Lord, I give thanks that we live under grace and not law. I give thanks that I am not a slave to sin. Even more I give thanks for faith and relationship.

Sharing Beyond Books #201 Comment Giveaway May 2, 2015

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

I am feeling better, thank the good Lord. This was another good week at the office. I hope everyone else is doing well as we enter the fifth month of this year!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
There were seven wonderful quotes shared. I shared from Inkheart, Mary shared from Dr. Seuss, Miki quoted from Hob Bargain, Fredamans from Art of War, Rubynreba from Wuthering Heights, Nikki form P&P (Pride and Prejudice) and poetryinleaves quoted from The BFG.
The winner from these six, who gets any book choice up to $12.00, is #4, rubynreba. Rubynreba, please comment this week what book you would like to receive.

~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #200 comments is: #10 Poetryinleaves who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #201; (One Question.)

Q1. Miki asks: What do you prefer to do with books you don't want anymore? (sell them at second hand bookstore, gift them, used them in contest etc)??

A: I think everyone here knows what I do with the books I no longer want! Many are given away at review giveaways or on Friday Pick Giveaways. Some hardback books I take to the local library or occasionally to thrift stores or boxes sent to soldiers.
I used to trade them in at a second hand bookstore where I got credit. But that store is an hour away and just keeps me replacing books instead of getting some out of my house. So it is better for me to give books away.

Image - screenshot of Friday Pick Giveaway May 1, 2015. :-)

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Miki  asks: What do you prefer to do with books you don't want anymore? (sell them at second hand bookstore, gift them, used them in contest etc)??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the  Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday May 9, 2015 at 5 PM  central.

Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin

This is a fast-paced and engaging action thriller.
Trident's First Gleaming:
A Special Operations Group Thriller
Written by: Stephen Templin
Narrated by: Brian Troxell

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
Release Date:09-24-14
Publisher: ListenUp Audiobooks
Genre: Military Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Former SEAL Chris Paladin leaves SEAL Team Six to become a pastor, but CIA spook Hannah Andrade pulls him back into Special Operations Group, the ultra-secret unit that SEAL Team Six operators and others served under to eliminate bin Laden. Chris and Hannah are joined by Delta Force’s Sonny Cohen to stop a new terrorist threat from launching a deadly cyber-terror against the United States.©2014 Stephen Templin Recorded by arrangement with the author c/o Trident Media Group LLC (P)2014 ListenUp Production, LLC.

Review:
Chris put his former life as a SEAL behind him and is serving as a pastor when a prior operations teammate seeks him out. Chris always like CIA spook Hannah but they could never interact socially due to their job restrictions. Chris is hesitant to be puled back into a Special Operations Group until he learns that they are seeking his help to stop an enemy well known to Chris. Chris and SEAL Team Six had captured Professor Mordet in Chris’ last assignment. Chris was close to killing the terrorist for his heinous actions, including chewing off a part of Chris’ ear, but instead he turned him over for imprisonment.

Now Professor Mordet has escaped and is believed to be involved in trying to acquire new and secret US military drone technology, known as the ‘Switchblade Whisper’. The drone has been misdirected by Mordet and is now missing. Whoever gets their hands on this technology could conceivably break through military defense security to cause havoc in military and other major infrastructure systems.

Chris agrees to step back into service for the mission. He meets with Hannah and two other operatives to fly to Afghanistan to recover the equipment. Although they retrieve the Switchblade something goes wrong. Chris is abandoned in a field filled with insurgents. Before he can reach his car it blows up when an enemy opens the door. Now Chris is seriously worried about his team mates, especially Hannah, as it appears that there has been a major betrayal.

Chris heads back to the rendevous point to find another team member dead. Chris faces off with the traitors who plan to frame him. Along the way to find Hannah, Chris runs into (literary) a strange man on a donkey. The man, Sonny, helps Chris restart the stolen van and it soon is apparent Sonny is a skilled operative. Sonny is a helpful, rascally addition who joins Chris in his escape from enemies as he continues to hunt down Hannah and the Switchblade. After plenty of action and before the story gets to its suspenseful ending, Chris has to face the extreme dark madness of his enemy.

I enjoyed the fast-paced action and conflict. Some of the escapes that Chris makes seemed a stretch but I suppose it is possible for a SEAL. He wasn’t quite a one man army but close to it. Of course, in my opinion, it helped that he had prayer support on his side. The author did a good job of putting the reader into the action and especially into the thought process as Chris dealt with the dangers, decisions and emotional conflicts of war, including how his faith in God impacted his actions. There was romantic tension between Chris and Hannah without any overt sexual scenes. I also appreciated the fact that the bad language was minimal.

I would be interested to listen to more by this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers and especially military action.

Audio Notes: Brian Troxell does a fairly good job of narration. He managed a variety of voices for the characters, especially getting distinct personalities for Jim Bob, Victor, Sonny and Mordet. I didn’t feel his interpretations were as strong for Hannah or the main character. Also there wasn’t as much intensity in the action as I felt there could have been. Still I was well engaged and am glad I listened to this on audio.

I received this title from Audible through AudioBook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 1, 2015

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well. I've had a good week - I have work left but then - I always have more work. :-) 
Oh rats - I just realized that I pulled books together for a new group this week but forgot to write up the list and take a picture. I'll try to remember to get the list ready early Friday morning and post the picture by Saturday.

TO ENTER:

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 April 24 Pick. Only one automatic win again 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.
Becky gets Virtually His

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from April 24 Pick:
Carol NW gets Hour Game

MaryP 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.}

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Image found at Thadeaus.

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

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Dragon and the Jewel and Tempted
Jude Deveraux: The Invitation and Remembrance
Nora Roberts: The Heart of Devin MacKade and the Pride of Jared MacKade
SINGLES:
A Little Better Bit Wild
Veil of Night
World's Greatest Dad
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess
Skin Game
Special Agent
Heart of the Wolf
Dean in The Water
Rally Fever
Jack with a Twist

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

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


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

PAIRS:
Virginia Henley: The Pirate and the Pagan (spine creases) and The Falcon and the Flower
James Patterson: London Bridges and Roses are Red (both spine creases)
SINGLES:
Pale Kings and Princes by Robert Parker Audio Cassette Tapes
Hour Game by David Baldacci (spine creases)
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Girl With the Golden Spurs by Ann Major
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Kasey Michaels
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Daisy's Back in Town by Rachel Gibson
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
The Last Two Bachelors by Debbie Macomber
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun
Duets Romantic Comedy: Lady and the Scamp by Candy Halliday & The Doctor Dilemma by Dianne Drake

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes



BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

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


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

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


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell
Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Mary Higgins Clark PAIR: Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You (SC)
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


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

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

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 808+ 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!

Blog Tour Book Review Plus Giveaway: The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson

This story has wonderful steampunk elements.

The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story
by Brooke Johnson

• File Size: 1155 KB
• Print Length: 236 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager Impulse (May 5, 2015)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B00M719Z06

Genre: Steampunk, YA
My Rating:  3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Sometimes, even the most unlikely person can change the world

Seventeen-year-old Petra Wade, self-taught clockwork engineer, wants nothing more than to become a certified member of the Guild, an impossible dream for a lowly shop girl. Still, she refuses to give up, tinkering with any machine she can get her hands on, in between working and babysitting her foster siblings.

When Emmerich Goss--handsome, privileged, and newly recruited into the Guild--needs help designing a new clockwork system for a top-secret automaton, it seems Petra has finally found the opportunity she's been waiting for. But if her involvement on the project is discovered, Emmerich will be marked for treason, and a far more dire fate would await Petra.

Working together in secret, they build the clockwork giant, but as the deadline for its completion nears, Petra discovers a sinister conspiracy from within the Guild council ... and their automaton is just the beginning.

Review:
Petra is an orphan who works as a shop girl in a poorer section of Chroniker City. The good thing about her work is that she gets to help fix clock mechanisms under the guidance of a kind expert. Petra has always dreamed of entering the Guild University to study and become a certified engineer. She tries to sneak in disguised as a boy but is rejected because she has no background school and no money for tuition.

Some of the young students are passing the shop and one of the young men has an automaton following him. Petra is fascinated but challenges the mechanism. Emmerich, who created the remote controls, recognizes the look of awe and intensity in Petra’s eyes. He pursues her and asks her to help him build a special project for the Guild. Not only is the project highly secret but if it is discovered that Emmerich allowed Petra to work on it they would both be in danger of charges of treason leading to execution. Although reluctant and fearful, Petra cannot resist the opportunity to truly work in the Guild.

Their first prototype is well received by the council leaders who move up the deadline for the final project. Petra and Emmerich grow closer as they work late at night to build the clockwork giant until Petra tries to walk away when she realizes the danger her involvement poses to Emmerich.

An attack by Luddites, who hate the machines, brings a fire to the University causing Petra to rush to Emmerich. The incident brings back memories of the night her parents died in a similar fire. Now Petra has even more reason to fight to be a part of the Guild. She returns to help Emmerich finish the project only to discover that the purpose of the machine has been twisted by a conspiracy of leaders seeking their own agenda. Petra is caught and accused of treason and she feels completely betrayed by Emmerich.

The story is set in 1881 and the steampunk world is wonderfully developed. I really enjoyed the rich descriptions of sights, smells and sounds. The steampunk world had much in common with other steampunk stories I have read. Still, I found the focus on the mechanics engaging and the development of the young friendship enjoyable for about two thirds of the book. Then the young adult angst and the gushing romance became too much. Plus Petra repeatedly made stupid, childish decisions that put her in danger. I suppose the effusive romance and the impetuous, rash behaviors are consistent for young adult but these issues broke my engagement with the otherwise good story.  The scenes to wrap up this book seemed a bit forced and the story ends intentionally with problems remaining to be addressed in the next book.

I liked the steampunk aspects of the book enough to still give this a pretty positive rating. I do think this book would be enjoyed by young adults and those who like steampunk as long as they are prepared for YA romance too.

I received this through Edelweiss for Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour.

To Purchase The Brass Giant
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brooke is a stay-at-home mom, amateur seamstress, RPG enthusiast, and art hobbyist, in addition to all that book writing. As the jack-of-all-trades bard of the family, she adventures through life with her fiercely-bearded paladin of a husband, their daughter the sticky-fingered rogue, and their cowardly wizard of a dog, with only a sleep spell in his spellbook.
They currently reside in Northwest Arkansas, but once they earn enough loot and experience, they’ll build a proper castle somewhere and defend against all manner of dragons and goblins, and whatever else dares take them on.
Visit Brooke at her website

Visit her at the following locations
Facebook
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GIVEAWAY

Brooke and Harper Voyage Impulse are giving away a $25 Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
• This giveaway begins April 27 and ends on May 15.
• Winners will be contacted via email on May 17.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!
ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway