Winners of Friday Pick 1/22/10!

Congratulations to Winners of Friday Pick January 22!

AND

Buuklover chose the book Ice Hunt by James Rollins.

Nicole needs to pick a book and let me know which one!!

@#%^&*- Is That REAL Language?

 "REAL LANGUAGE"?????

This is my SaSR R&R Tuesday post -- not fully a rant but more an extension on the REALISM topic from last week!

So this is my question --- do books need to have all the bad language and cuss words to be considered "real"?  A while back I had e-mailed an author and pointed out that although I really liked the action and plot in her book I didn't like the language.  She responded that it was "real language" with a bit of an indication that I was NOT real!!

I was raised in a pretty conservative home and when I was in high school I was referred to as a "goodie two shoes" on occasion. [Hmmm - wonder where that phrase comes from?]
There was not much swearing at our house that I can recall.  Somewhere along the way I made a conscious decision not to use swear words.  Heck, darn and drat are about as harsh as I get!  I don't even like to say 'crap' even though my kids rooms might have looked like that sometimes when they were teens!  I just don't find the need to use rough language to express myself.  

So needless to say I wonder why bad words have to be so prevalent in books. I understand that there is likely to be bad language in a cop story. [Unless it is inspirational - they manage just fine without bad language!!]  I have read some good PI stories where there is some language but the book isn't peppered with it - just a word or five out of the whole book.  However there are other books where it seems like it is every tenth (or even fiftieth) word and I don't like it!! [And if cops really talk that way all the time I sure am glad I don't have to work around them!!]

Then lets look at contemporaries.... again - I don't like it but I find it more and more.  A couple of months ago I tried to read a fantasy story by a popular author and couldn't get past the first chapter because of course language. I had read several books by another author then I listened to one last year which was a cop story with a lot of bad language.  I haven't been inclined to pick her books up again and may end up giving away a half dozen or so that I had collected. 

I really find it hard to swallow foul words in historical romance!  Okay so maybe the people in the streets would have used gutter language and maybe the gents would have too.  But I would just a soon not read it!

If I have accepted a review book then I will get through it but I am likely to make a note near the end of the review that it contains rough, raw, crude or swear language depending on the severity! I will also not steamy, graphic or explicit sex.  Why do I note those aspects??? Because I think there may be some other readers out there who may want to be forewarned about the language or the explicitness.

I guess I want my reading to be escapism that softens the harsh realities of the world! I like the rose colored glasses!
So how do YOU feel about bad language in books???

Again this week there will be a drawing from all comments made on this post - leave your e-mail please so I can reach you!  I will draw a winner Friday morning to chose a book from the Friday Pick books!

Mailbox Monday January 25, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia
at The Printed Page

I received two "win" books this week

I won Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton from Mom's Mutterings.

Thank you Pam and Hachette!

Product Description

Amazing news has spread across the Scottish countryside. The most famous of highland bachelors, police sergeant Hamish Macbeth, may actually marry at last. The entire village of Lochdubh adores Macbeth's bride-to-be. Josie McSween is Hamish's new constable, and she is a pretty little thing, with glossy brown hair and big brown eyes. The local folk think that Josie is quite a catch, but Hamish couldn't be more miserable.

The wedding wouldn't be happening if it weren't for the murder of a beautiful woman in a nearby village. After the gorgeous woman receives a deadly Valentine's Day gift, Hamish and Josie take on the case. However, they soon discover that the list of the victim's admirers is endless. The case confirms Hamish's belief that love is extremely dangerous, but he still can't avoid the events that lead up to his celebrated engagement.

I also won Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl on a Tweet Contest!

Thank you Victoria!

The wrong man just might be her perfect fit... Primal attraction is a big red flag to prim and proper office manager, Jane Morgan. After a rough childhood with a mother who liked her men in prison jumpsuit orange, Jane changed her name, her look and her taste for bad boys. So why is she lusting for William Chase with his tattoo-covered biceps, steel-toed boots and unadulterated sex appeal?

The man blows things up for a living!

She gives herself one explosive, fantasy-filled night with Chase. The next day, it’s back to plain Jane and safe men.But when her beloved brother becomes a murder suspect, and her lawyer ex-boyfriend won’t help, Jane turns to Chase. And she discovers a man who’s been around the block knows a thing or two about uncovering all kinds of truths.

What are you Reading January 25, 2010

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog
I did do some reviews this past week but I am still behind.



[Note re codes: YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review. There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]


Finished:

PB: Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye. She is willing to teach "Mr. Perfect" how to clean up after himself and how to cook. But she is not sure she wants to send him back to his ex girlfriend after he is nicely trained! This was a fun read!! Review to be sent to CR this week.

Kindle2:  Relative Danger by Terry Spear.  "Sexy murder mystery full of twists and turns."  I really liked this one too. Review to be sent to YGR.

A bit awkward on these two books as they both had rich heroines a bit reluctant to get into a relationship.  I try not to read similar plots at the same time!  Fortunately there were sufficient differences that there was really no confusion!

Audible: ---------

Audio CD:  Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb. I liked this so much I will probably start another in this series!  My own TBR pile - I'll do a review here at MBS.

**************************

Currently reading:

PB: Truly Madly by Heather Webber.  Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.  Starting out as definitely another fun read! Reviewing for CR.

Next up: The Key

Kindle2:  An American Rose Christmas Looks like an historical anthology I will like! Reviewing for YGR.

Audible: On hold - Unless I decide to start Naked in Death by J.D. Robb which is the first Lt. Eve Dallas book!

Audio CD:  Divided in Death by J.D. Robb.  I know its out of chronological order but I liked the last one so much I want to listen to another!  It is earlier than the last one so I will be interested how the characters Roarke and Lt. Eve Dallas interact. My own TBR pile.

Some More Book Blog Giveaways!

Here are some other January Giveaways to check out!

A Follower Giveaway for $20.00 spree

at Book Depository by TinasBookReviews!  Ends 1/25/10

Reading for Sanity is having a giveaway of Evernight! Ends 1/31/10.

Check out many linked Giveaways

at Just Another New Blog's Link your Giveways Saturday! 

Mine aren't on there yet.... too little time to do everyting!

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks is

having Michelle's Romantic Birthday Giveaway.

Three winners chose from some very nice books! Open Internationally! Ends 2/2/10.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 24, 2010

Our Pastor concluded his message this morning on Reigniting Your Passion for God.  One story he shared was interesting. A man struggling with anger said his battle  was like a black dog with bad things and a white dog with good things and they were always fighting each other.  When asked which was winning, he replied: "The one I feed!"  Think about that... what thoughts do you entertain??

One of our praise songs today is a wonderful reminder to Praise God in all things!  Blessed Be His Name!

Since this is Sanctity of Life Sunday the verses today are a favorite passage I love to recall!  If you get the chance read ALL of Psalm 139 -- it is awesome!

Psalms 139: 13-17

 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.

 ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 ¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

 ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!

My prayer today is for unborn children everywhere and those struggling with difficult decisions - may you seek and Trust God to help!

Three Winners of Calendars!

Many of the entrants were interested in the Cat Calendar!! I have some more cat items to giveaway so keep an eye open for those!!

Congratulations to the Winners:

The Maxine Calendar goes to

The Psalms Calendar goes to

and The Meaning of Meow goes to

I am e-mailing the winners for address info to be provided within 72 hours!

Oh - I forgot to comment  (-- even with notes under my nose- jeepers!!)  I thought Virginia's cat symbol "signature" was very cute!! :)

The Body Finder - Trailer and Contest Link! BUT HURRY!

Check this out! THE BODY FINDER by Kimberly Derting. It looks very good!! And there is a contest - see the info and link below the video!!

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a signed ARC, a $15 gift card to the online bookseller of their choice, and The Body Finder swag pack (including poster, tote bag, bookmarks, and stickers). YAY!!!

Second Place will also receive a signed ARC, a $10 gift card to online bookseller, and a swag pack.

There will also be three winners of the $10 gift card and swag packs!!!!

Sorry I didn't see this in the blog world sooner!  It ends January 23, 2010 so hurry to enter here!

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick 1-22-10

Trinity College Library Picture by TimTom on Flickr

TimTom has wonderfully different book pictures! Thanks TimTom!

This is post #9 with a new set of books!! You can also choose from the books left from pick#1, pick#2, pick#3, pick #4, pick #5  - all of which I restated with pick #6; pick #7 and pick #8. Use the links to see the pictures and the lists of the books still available.  I have also put a Friday Pick link in the upper right hand sidebar for easy access.

It looks like I may do one more post with a new set of books and then we will work on giving away the books that remain from those initial 160 that have been listed!  That will give me time to read a few more before I start to pull books to giveaway from my TBR shelves!! *BG*

Remember for the overseas participants I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. Overseas visitors your comment may indicate your choice of gift card.

Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
The Closers by Michael Connelly
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
The Rogue and the Rival by Maya Rodale (Personally Autographed)
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
Her Highness My Wife by Victoria Alexander
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murrray
Darkfall by Stephen Laws
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Grace in Autumn by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt
The Lottery Winner by Mary Higgins Clark
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes
Vanity by Jane Feather

Winner from REALISM Comments!

THANK YOU everyone who commented on the Realsim post earlier this week!!  They were all great comments!  I will do more of those in the future to get you guys commenting a bit and sharing good thoughts!!!

The winner gets to pick a book from the Friday Pick books!  By the way - I put a Friday Pick link on the right sidebar for easy access! :)

Congratulations to the randomly picked winner:

T, please e-mail me with a book selection and your snail mail addy!!

Winners of Friday Pick 1-15-2010

CONGRATULATIONS
WINNERS OF JANUARY 15, 2010 FRIDAY PICK!

AND

Mystica gets a gift card of $5.00. She'll have to contact me as I do not have an e-mail.

Haleyknitz chose Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I have e-mailed her!

Giveaway KNIGHT OF PLEASURE by Margaret Mallory!

I haven't had the chance to read and review this yet but I don't want to delay the Giveaway!!
You might recall that my very first Hachette Giveaway was Ms. Mallory's debut novel Knight of Desire!
Now we are fortunate to have the second "knight" book!

KNIGHT OF PLEASURE
2nd Book in All the King’s Men Series
by Margaret Mallory
ISBN-10: 0446553387
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-55338-4
Publisher: Grand Central
Release date: December 2009

Available at Amazon.com   BN.com   Borders.com   Indiebound

THE GREATEST PASSION

Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that's before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.

IS WORTH THE GREATEST PERIL

Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. When a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen must prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure ... and that love can conquer all.

There will be FIVE (5) Winners!! 

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Comment here telling me what you like about the medieval genre. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win.
2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
3. For another entry, blog or twitter about this giveaway and comment to tell me where you posted.
(Three total entries possible.)

• This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
• No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
• This contest will close Midnight (Central) on February 12, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Another Big Thank You to Anna and Hachette Book Group who have graciously offered the 5 copies of Knight of Pleasure for this Giveaway!

Review of TRUE BLUE by David Baldacci

Title:  True Blue
Author:  David Baldacci
Publisher:   Hachette Audio
Publisher Link
Category: FICTION
Format: AUDIO BOOK
Subformat: CD (AUDIO)
Edition: Unabridged
Publish Date: 10/27/2009
Price: $44.98/$54.00
ISBN: 9781600247613
Pages: 0

Rating:  4.5

Author Website

Product Description
A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller.

TRUE BLUE

Mason "Mace" Perry was a firebrand cop on the D.C. police force until she was kidnapped and framed for a crime. She lost everything-her badge, her career, her freedom-and spent two years in prison. Now she's back on the outside and focused on one mission: to be a cop once more. Her only shot to be a true blue again is to solve a major case on her own, and prove she has the right to wear the uniform. But even with her police chief sister on her side, she has to work in the shadows: A vindictive U.S. attorney is looking for any reason to send Mace back behind bars. Then Roy Kingman enters her life.

Roy is a young lawyer who aided the poor until he took a high-paying job at a law firm in Washington. Mace and Roy meet after he discovers the dead body of a female partner at the firm. As they investigate the death, they start uncovering surprising secrets from both the private and public world of the nation's capital.

Soon, what began as a fairly routine homicide takes a terrifying and unexpected turn-into something complex, diabolical, and possibly lethal.

REVIEW:  This is a wonderful suspense story – the great quality that we are accustomed to from David Baldacci. I’m hoping for a follow-up on Mace’s story.

Mace is a good complex character -- intense -- a risk junkie.  She also is rogue and will NOT go by the books in spite of being very newly on parole.  She is lucky that she doesn’t get thrown back in jail.  Of course it helps that her sister is Chief of Police.

Roy Kingman may not be a “he-man” but he isn’t a wimp either!  He is smart and kind and normally a logical and down to earth lawyer -- until he meets Mace.  She pulls out the impulsive in him.  I’d like to say he calms her …but nope – seems nobody and nothing can really calm or control Mace! Not even her sister.

The plot is full of political corruption – the stuff you hate to think about.  Who wants to think that the “good guys” will kill to follow or cover up for their own agenda? Add to that some on the street toughs who look like they might get Mace and you have some real excitement going on.

The audio has some great sound effects during some car chases that really enhance the listening.  Initially I wasn’t overly impressed with the narrator – I didn’t really feel he got the change of voices that well or the excitement.  However after the first several discs I was engaged enough that I didn’t notice what I thought was a less than stellar reading.

This is a good solid suspense that will keep you on edge until the end.

News from the author’s website:
The hardcover edition of True Blue remains a best seller for the eleventh consecutive week.
True Blue remains on the USA Today list of This Week's Top 150 Best Sellers and on the the Nielsen BookScan bestseller list.
The USA Today ranks sales for the week ending January 10. You can view the full list on the USA Today Website. Nielsen BookScan makes its full list available to subscribers to its BookScan service.

Thank you to Anna at Hachette for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Giveaway! Anyone Need a 2010 Calendar?

Do you still need or WANT a 2010 Calendar??

Well - I am late posting this! Do you like Cats, Maxine or Psalms?

The Meaning of Meow is 365 days of cat pictures and quotes not set for any year.

Maxine is a 16 month calendar.

Psalms doesn't say so I assume it is 2010 only.

JUST FOR CLARIFICATION -  Maxine and Psalms have monthly pages. Only the Meow one will have a new page every DAY.... in case there was confusion!

This giveaway will only last this week so I can get the calendars mailed out.  So claim a calendar by telling me which one you want and leaving your e-mail address. Winners to be announced Saturday so these can be mailed on Monday!

How Important is "REALISM?" - Comment Giveaway!

How important is realism?
If you read fantasy or scifi there is a lot of room for the author to stretch realism.  But if you read historical or contemporary romance how important is it for the plot/facts to be completely realistic?  Is it okay if the events are possible even if they may not be probable?  Would that effect how you like or rate the book?

This is a real snowman but how likely is it?

Picture from Bing Images -

Go to page:http://www.kentuckykatz.com/page/1419913

Actually - I have had lack of realism effect my rating.  I read one story where the circumstances were so improbable to me that it ruined the rest of the story.  Now in that instance, I recall I had some trouble with liking the characters and felt there was lack of consistency. Every thing felt flat as well as unbelievable. So the lack of realism only compounded an unhappy read for me.

On another occasion the circumstances of the story were on the edge of believable - it could happen but not likely! But I liked the characters and the intent of the story so much that the "stretch of the circumstances" didn't bother me. I still found the story engaging, upbeat, sweet and fun and therefore overlooked the improbabilities!  I would however mark the story down by at least .25 because of the realism issue.

Now on to a more technical area of accuracy: what about a historical romance that has a feature definitely out of time? For example buttons before they were in use?  Would you notice? Would you care?  I for one wouldn't know when buttons began to be used without looking it up (probably at a good historical author blog!) So I probably wouldn't notice that type of detail. But I know there are some historical readers who would definitely notice!

So tell me what you think?? How important is realism to YOU in the books you read?

Leave a comment to win a book from the Friday Picks!  Winner will be randomly selected from all comments made through Thursday midnight and announced Friday with the Friday 1/15 pick winners!

This is my SaSR Tuesday topic today.

Mailbox Monday January 18, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia
at The Printed Page

I only received one book that I "won" this past week. But I picked up some bargains and borrowed some audios!

I got the book Forgotten Promises by Denise Skelton form AuthorIsland's December Goodie Box Sponsor.  Along with the book I got a large boxful of swag - bookmarks, pens etc. (Winners of books from my blog picks can look to get some extra bookmarks and things!)  I had been interested in this book for sometime and thought getting it with the swag package was a fun way to get it!

Thank you Denise and DeNita!

Product Description
True Love Comes Along Once in a Lifetime. That s what Detective Holly Lawson James believed. Her husband and co-worker Edmond was everything a woman could want in a man and a partner; strong, warm and romantic, he filled her life and her heart with passion and joy -until a police sting went terribly wrong and abruptly took him from her and their little girl, Abby. On that day her life changed forever. Now five years later Holly has grown accustomed to being alone, a state that suits her perfectly well, because she s sure that true love comes along only once in a lifetime. Despite promising his wife otherwise, Tyler Green knew he would never find love again. He had watched powerlessly as cancer ravaged his beautiful Felicia. Day by day, moment by moment, the illness, like a thief, dragged her closer toward death and tore away big chunks of his heart. When it was finally over he was left empty and cold, but it doesn't matter to Tyler because he s sure that true love will never head his way again. Still, love has a way of getting through to the stoniest of hearts and all it takes is one mischievous little girl and an unlikely meddling angel to prove them both wrong. But there is danger lurking in the shadows of their new beginning and one person s obsession may well cause Holly to lose the most important thing in her life. Her daughter!

Here are three CD books I borrowed from a clubhouse at property we own:

I am participating in the Stephanie Plum Challenge so Hard Eight will be for that. Of course I still have books 4-7 to read first!  [See note below the second picture for more about that.]
Since I really liked Survivor in Death CD Audio so much I picked up the Divided in Death one to read soon.

Also I got lucky and stumbled upon these J.D. Robb books at a thrift store:

I have two more books at home so now I have a good start on the 20 or so books in this series - oops just looked at Audible to pick up book 1 and they are on book #36! Well that could take a year or two to read - maybe a two year challenge?! Anyway - I purchased Naked in Death - the first in the series and Four to Score, book #4 of the Stephanie Plum series, with my Audible credits.  I have the print book Four to Score but I think the Audible will get me reading it faster.  I have to check with J. Kaye cause we were going to try to do a Twitter read togehter on that one and might start this month!

What are you Reading on Monday January 18, 2010

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog
I did do some reviews this past week but still need to get caught up.

[Note re codes:  YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review.  There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB:  Seduced by a Rougue by Amanda Scott. The handsome hero abducts the lovely heiress of an enemy clan.  Can love win out over clan war?  Reviewing on MBS for Hachette giveaway.  This was character driven and a good read. Review to be posted soon (I hope!).

Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.  Daily Devotions - the mini review and Giveaway are posted.  Courtesy of Hachette.

Kindle2: Hearts of Compassion by Eryn Grace.  Rylee, A lonely daughter of a millionaire, is forced to work at a homeless shelter in up-state New York as a team building exercise for her job.  She is guided by the shelter's lawyer who was fired from Riley's father's firm.  This was an engaging story and I liked the characters a lot!  Review to be posted soon.

Audible: ---------

Audio CD:  -------

**************************

Currently reading:

PB: Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye. She is willing to teach "Mr. Perfect" how to clean up after himself and how to cook. But she is not sure she wants to send him back to his ex girlfriend after he is nicely trained! Doesn't this sound fun!! Reviewing for CR.

Kindle2:  Relative Danger by Terry Spear.  "Sexy murder mystery full of twists and turns." Reviewing for YGR. ( I didn't get this onto the Kindle last week so that is why I read Hearts of Compassion instead.)

Next: An American Rose Christmas Looks like an historical anthology I will like! Reviewing for YGR.

Audible: on hold.

Audio CD:  Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb.  I'm down to the last disc on this one.  VERY GOOD! This is the first in this series that I have read and I will read more!  Lt. Eve Dallas struggles to solve the murder of a seemingly ordinary family, and protect one small, terrified survivor.  My own TBR pile.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 17, 2010

This morning there was a Word that said that you may feel you are in your darkest hour ... but God will turn the darkness to light!

Our Pastor's message was titled "Reigniting Your Passion." He said something quite interesting. If you are passionate and enthusiastic about football you are considered a fan. But if you are passionate and enthusiastic about Church you are considered a fanatic. What do you think?

Here is a song about Jesus' Light!

A Verse for Today:

Matthew 37-40 from The Message Bible:

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

My prayer today is that the Lord restore and strengthen our passion each day!